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new zealand native flax

New Zealand native flax is an iconic plant woven deeply into the nation’s landscape and culture. Known for its graceful, sword-like leaves and towering flower spikes, native flax brings dynamic texture, structure, and year-round colour to both contemporary and traditional Kiwi gardens. Not only does New Zealand native flax thrive in a range of climates and soil types, but it also provides essential habitat for native birds, supporting local biodiversity. Whether you’re designing a coastal retreat, an urban haven, or a rural garden, New Zealand native flax offers resilience and beauty you’ll enjoy for many seasons.

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 flax is perfect for adding colour contrast and texture to modern and traditional gardens. Its tidy, clump forming habit makes it suitable for smaller spaces, borders, and pots. Hardy, low maintenance, and versatile, Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' is a reliable plant that thrives in a wide range of NZ garden conditions.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 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
Large Black Rage Phormium in a garden with black foliage.

Phormium 'Black Rage'

5 from 2 customers

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 dramatic and architectural plant adds instant impact to gardens, providing colour contrast and strong vertical form. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a range of NZ conditions, from coastal to urban settings. Phormium 'Black Rage' is the perfect choice for gardeners wanting a low maintenance yet eye catching feature.

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

Phormium 'Surfer'

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching...

From$18.23
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$18.23
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$20.93

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$17.48
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$14.78
phormium-stripy-mist-

Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

Phormium Stripy Mist is a popular NZ native dwarf flax that features striking green leaves with a chocolate brown centre. It grows as a very tidy...

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 '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...

From$16.13
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
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 '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$18.23
Sophora fulvida tree with masses of yellow flowers.

Sophora fulvida

Sophora fulvida (Southern Kōwhai) is a beautiful New Zealand native tree admired for its golden yellow flowers and fine green foliage. Flowering in...

From$457.29
A Sophora chathamica tree growing in a garden with green foliage.

Sophora chathamica

Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is a stunning New Zealand native tree known for its masses of bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring...

From$358.98
A lush Pseudopanax laetus shrub.

Pseudopanax laetus (Five Finger)

Pseudopanax laetus, commonly known as the Large-leaved Five Finger, is a striking New Zealand native shrub renowned for its lush, glossy green...

From$29.63
Arthropodium 'Te Puna' plants with elegant white flowers bordering a path.

Arthropodium 'Te Puna' (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium ‘Te Puna’ is a compact New Zealand native perennial valued for its tidy clumping habit, slender green foliage, and masses of starry...

From$15.53
Hedycarya arborea tree with lush green foliage.

Hedycarya arborea

Hedycarya arborea, commonly known as Pigeonwood, is a New Zealand native tree valued for its attractive foliage and wildlife benefits. This evergreen...

From$438.39
coprosma-acerosa-hawera-5

Coprosma 'Hawera' (Sand Coprosma)

Coprosma 'Hawera' (Sand Coprosma) is a hardy New Zealand native shrub valued for its fine foliage and excellent tolerance to coastal conditions. The...

From$20.18
leptospermum-wairere-

Leptospermum Wairere

Leptospermum Wairere, also known as Leptospermum scoparium Wairere, is a low-growing, spreading New Zealand native shrub celebrated for its profusion...

From$26.93
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$15.86
Sea Spurge plants with elegant blue foliage for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Euphorbia glauca (Shore Spurge)

Euphorbia glauca, commonly known as Sea Spurge, is a striking New Zealand native prized for its blue-green foliage and resilience in coastal...

From$24.23
A large Plagianthus divaricatus shrub with fine, green foliage.

Plagianthus divaricatus (Marsh Ribbonwood)

Plagianthus divaricatus, commonly known as Marsh Ribbonwood or Makaka, is a hardy New Zealand native shrub ideal for coastal and wetland restoration...

From$24.23
Dysoxylum spectabile tree.

Dysoxylum spectabile (New Zealand Mahogany)

Dysoxylum spectabile, commonly known as Kohekohe, is a majestic NZ native tree admired for its glossy dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant...

From$28.28
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga) plants in flower with lush green foliage in a border garden.

Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium cirratum, commonly known as Rengarenga Lily or New Zealand Rock Lily, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to New Zealand. It...

From$13.43
Pittosporum eugenioides tree with lush, dark green foliage and cream-coloured flowers.

Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides, commonly known as Tarata or Lemonwood, is a fast-growing native New Zealand tree valued for its glossy green leaves and...

From$14.72
Pittosporum tenuifolium (Kohuhu) lush green foliage.

Pittosporum tenuifolium

Pittosporum tenuifolium, commonly known as Kohuhu or Black Matipo, is a fast-growing, evergreen native tree ideal for hedging, screening, and shelter...

From$18.83
A small Pseudopanax 'Cyril Watson' shrub with lush, bright green foliage.

Pseudopanax Cyril Watson

Pseudopanax 'Cyril Watson' is a distinctive New Zealand native shrub, recognised for its lush, glossy green foliage with 3 to 5 rounded, partially...

From$29.63
Entelea arborescens (Whau) shrub with lush green foliage and white flowers.

Entelea arborescens (Whau)

Entelea arborescens, commonly known as Whau, is a NZ native shrub that typically grows to 3 m tall and 2 m wide. It produces fragrant white flowers...

From$20.93
A tui feeding on the berries and flowers in a Pseudopanax arboreus (Whauwhaupaku) tree.

Pseudopanax arboreus (Five-Finger)

Pseudopanax arboreus, commonly known as Five Finger or Whauwhaupaku, is a fast-growing NZ native tree that typically reaches 4–6 m tall. It features...

From$299.92
Anemanthele lessoniana grass with colourful, orange and green foliage growing in a pot.

Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass)

Anemanthele lessoniana, also known as Pheasant's Tail Grass or New Zealand Wind Grass, is a graceful, clump-forming ornamental grass native to New...

From$16.88
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Anemanthele, Arthropodium, Coprosma, Dianella, Dysoxylum, Entelea, Euphorbia, Hedycarya, Leptospermum, Libertia, Phormium, Pittosporum, Plagianthus Pseudopanax and Sophora, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Perennials, Deciduous Shrubs Evergreen Shrubs and Evergreen Trees.

Search new zealand native flax

What Makes New Zealand Native Flax Special?

New Zealand native flax, commonly referred to as Phormium, is renowned for its adaptability, architectural shape, and stunning foliage. These evergreen perennials are available in a variety of forms and hues, from the broad-leaved Phormium tenax to the slender, cascading leaves of Phormium cookianum. Their vibrant foliage can range from bright lime to deep bronze, often marked with stripes or subtle colour variations.

Native flax plants are extremely tolerant of wind, coastal exposure, and even occasional drought, making them perfect for New Zealand’s varied conditions. They flourish in garden beds, borders, containers, and mass plantings. Their robust flowers attract tūī and korimako (bellbirds), turning your garden into a hub of native wildlife.

Popular New Zealand Native Flax Varieties

There’s a wide range of striking cultivars to choose from if you’re thinking of planting New Zealand native flax. Some of the most sought-after varieties include:

Uses and Care of New Zealand Native Flax

New Zealand native flax is incredibly versatile and can be used for specimen planting, erosion control, architectural statements, or as a dense hedge for privacy and windbreaks. In traditional Māori culture, the leaves are highly valued for weaving and crafting. In the home garden, they are low-maintenance—flax only needs the occasional tidy-up of older leaves and will benefit from mulching during dry periods. Use them alongside grasses, hebes, or groundcovers for a naturalistic planting style.

Transform Your Garden With Native Flax

If you’re looking to add structure, movement, and a true sense of place to your landscape, New Zealand native flax is an excellent choice. Explore our handpicked selection of varieties, including Phormium cookianum, Phormium 'Surfer Bronze', Phormium 'Surfer', Phormium 'Jack Spratt', and Phormium 'Velvet Underground', to find the perfect fit for your home or project. Each brings a touch of wild New Zealand to your backyard—resilient, stunning, and unbeatably Kiwi.


Contact us

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.

You’ve probably heard of our garden favourites like Dianella 'Little Jess' and Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga Lily), but did you know we also grow hidden gems like Coprosma Scarlett O'Hara (Mirror Bush), Hosta Blue Mouse Ears, and Clivia miniata grandiflora (Natal Lily)?
–The Plant Company

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