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mini flax

Mini flax, a compact and versatile variety of New Zealand native flax, is becoming an increasingly popular choice for both home gardens and commercial landscapes. With their tidy size, eye-catching foliage, and low-maintenance nature, mini flax plants offer the perfect solution for adding texture, color, and structure to almost any garden style. Ideal for borders, pots, mass plantings, or even as groundcovers, these smaller flax cultivars suit modern urban gardens as well as traditional settings.

Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.

Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Phormium 'Green Dwarf', also known as Dwarf Green Flax, is a compact, tidy New Zealand flax cultivar with lush, bright green, strap-like leaves. It forms a clump around 40–60 cm tall and wide, making it perfect for edging, borders, pots, or mass planting. Hardy and low-maintenance, it thrives in full sun to part shade and tolerates wind, coastal exposure, and dry conditions once established. Its neat form and vibrant colour suit both modern and native-style landscapes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 75 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Surfer'

5 from 2 customers

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching foliage adds year round structure, texture, and colour contrast to the garden. This hardy and versatile variety is ideal for small spaces, borders, and containers. With its stylish appearance and easy care nature, Phormium 'Surfer' is a popular choice for NZ gardeners wanting a reliable and decorative plant.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Jack Spratt'

Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is one of the smallest New Zealand native flax varieties, admired for its narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze to dark...

From$18.63
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze'

Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' is a compact and stylish New Zealand native flax with narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze tones. This striking ornamental...

From$18.63
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.
Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

Phormium 'Emerald Gem' is a dwarf variety of Mountain Flax or Wharariki. It produces emerald-green leaves and grows to 60 cm tall and 70 cm wide in...

From$17.25
A mass planting of Dianella caerulea 'Little Jess' plants with lush, green foliage.
Dianella 'Little Jess'

Dianella 'Little Jess' is a variety of NZ Flax Lily that bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring above lush, mid-green leaves. Small...

From$20.18
Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.
Phormium tenax

Phormium tenax, commonly known as the NZ flax or Harakeke, is a flax plant that produces erect, green, sword-like leaves. Stems rise above the...

From$15.11
A large Phormium 'Jester' plant with colourful foliage.
Phormium 'Jester'

Phormium 'Jester' is a showy variety of Flax that produces leaves that are striped with a broad, pink central band and a dark purple border. This...

From$20.93
phormium-stripy-mist-
Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

Phormium 'Stripy Mist' is an attractive New Zealand flax valued for its beautifully variegated foliage featuring soft green leaves striped with...

From$20.93
phormium-veneer-
Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium 'Veneer' is a striking NZ flax known for its upright, sword like leaves with rich bronze and green tones. This hardy evergreen adds bold...

From$20.18
Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

From$117.09
Large Black Rage Phormium in a garden with black foliage.
Phormium 'Black Rage'

Phormium 'Black Rage' is a striking New Zealand native flax known for its bold, upright leaves in deep shades of dark purple to near black. This...

From$21.39
dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2
Dianella Kentlyn

Dianella Kentlyn is a variety of the commonly known, Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

From$16.49
A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.
Phormium 'Dark Delight'

Phormium 'Dark Delight', also known as Dark Purple Flax, is a bold New Zealand native flax prized for its broad, upright leaves in deep purple to...

From$21.39
dianella-blaze-
Dianella Blaze

Dianella Blaze features broad and gently arching, bronze-purple leaves that are very showy. It typically grows to 70 cm tall and the same wide...

From$16.49
Dianella Revelation plants growing in a garden.
Dianella 'Revelation'

Dianella 'Revelation' features flower stems that rise above the foliage through spring and summer to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers, which...

From$16.49
dianella-caerulea-goddess-
Dianella Goddess

Dianella Goddess is a variety of the commonly known, NZ Flax Lily, and produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

From$20.18
Phormium cookianum

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall...

From$18.63
Dianella tasmanica (Tasman Flax Lily) plants with green foliage and blue flowers.
Dianella tasmanica

Dianella tasmanica, commonly known as the Tasman Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green and have a lush...

From$19.25
Dianella revoluta 'Little Rev' plants in a garden.
Dianella 'Little Rev'

Dianella 'Little Rev' (Blue Flax Lily) is a compact and hardy ornamental grass like plant valued for its attractive blue green foliage and tidy...

From$15.87
rhipsalis-cereuscula-3
Rhipsalis cereuscula (Coral Cactus)

Commonly known as the Coral Cactus, this is a succulent grown for its slender and interesting stems. Masses of the dark green, thread-like stems are...

From$26.93
A spectacular cluster of Llibertia peregrinans plants with bright orange foliage.
Libertia peregrinans

Libertia peregrinans, commonly known as Orange Libertia or Wandering Mikoikoi, is a colourful New Zealand native groundcover prized for its striking...

From$15.11
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' plant in a pot.
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring, which are followed by small, blue berries in summer. These are...

From$18.83
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.22
Dianella caerulea 'Breeze' growing in a roadside garden.
Dianella 'Breeze'

Dianella 'Breeze' (Turutu) is a hardy and attractive perennial that brings lush, strappy green foliage and clusters of delicate blue flowers to New...

From$16.13
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' plant with masses of red flowers growing in a pot on a patio.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' is a compact ground cover rose valued for its masses of vibrant cherry red flowers and exceptional disease...

From$33.68
Coprosma 'Mini Mac' small, green foliage.
Coprosma 'Mini Mac'

Coprosma 'Mini Mac' is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its glossy green foliage and tidy rounded form. Well suited to New Zealand conditions, it...

From$20.18
Large Astelia chathamica in a garden with silver flax-like leaves.
Astelia chathamica (Chatham Island Astelia)

Astelia chathamica, commonly known as the Chatham Island Astelia or Kakaha, produces broad, erect, silver-green leaves. The leaves are held with a...

From$299.92
Dianella nigra plant with masses of blue berries.
Dianella nigra (New Zealand Blueberry)

Dianella nigra, commonly known as the New Zealand Blueberry or Tūrutu, is a NZ native that features lush foliage and glossy berries that vary in...

From$20.18
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Cordyline Lime Fountain

Cordyline 'Lime Foutain' is a fresh and vibrant evergreen plant admired for its bright lime green foliage and graceful fountain like form. The...

From$29.63
Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Astelia, Coprosma, Cordyline, Dianella, Libertia, Phormium Rhipsalis and Rose, or related Categories - Flaxes, Indoor Plants Carpet Roses and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search mini flax

Why Choose Mini Flax?

Mini flax plants retain all the hardiness and architectural appeal of their larger relatives, but in a more manageable, space-saving form. They thrive in a variety of soil types, from free-draining sandy soils to heavier clays, and are drought-tolerant once established. Their evergreen strappy leaves provide year-round interest, while many cultivars boast bronze, green, or variegated tones that bring subtle colour contrast to your planting scheme. Whether your garden is coastal, urban, or rural, mini flax can withstand wind, salt and even some frost, making it one of the most resilient options for adding structure and movement.

Popular Mini Flax Varieties

There’s a mini flax variety to suit every garden. For those seeking vibrant green tufts, Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax) is a top performer with its narrow, lush leaves and neat growth habit. Phormium 'Green Dwarf' is another excellent choice for pure green tones and a delicate, compact look.

If you're after drama and rich hues, Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax) is renowned for its deep, dark foliage that contrasts beautifully with lighter ornamentals. For petite but striking bronze shades, try Phormium 'Pixie' (Pixie Flax), which adds warmth to mixed plantings and looks great in containers. Phormium 'Surfer' offers graceful, arching leaves with a hint of blue-green, perfect for softening the edges of garden beds or pots.

How to Use Mini Flax in Your Garden

Mini flax is a designer’s dream thanks to its versatility. These compact flaxes fit seamlessly into rockeries, along pathways, or at the front of mixed borders. In coastal gardens, their salt and wind tolerance provides essential stability while softening hard landscaping. In contemporary urban spaces, a mass planting of mini flax creates stylish, year-round groundcover that suppresses weeds and reduces maintenance. They’re fabulous for container gardening, brightening decks and patios with texture and movement. Try pairing bronze or black-leaved mini flax with silver foliage plants, or place the vibrant green varieties alongside colourful perennials for maximum impact.

Planting and Care Tips

Given their resilience, mini flax requires very little care. Plant them in a sunny or partially shaded spot with well-draining soil. Water regularly after planting until they establish, then only during extended dry periods. An annual tidy of damaged or dead leaves will keep plants looking their best. Feed with a slow-release fertiliser in spring to promote lush new growth.

Add interest, structure, and colour to any sized garden with our range of mini flax. Explore favourites like Phormium 'Pixie' (Pixie Flax), Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax), Phormium 'Green Dwarf', Phormium 'Surfer', and Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax) to discover the best mini flax for your project.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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