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nz native christmas tree

Searching for the iconic NZ native Christmas tree? In New Zealand, the crown for this role goes to the stunning [Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)](/shop/product/trees/metrosideros-excelsa). Known for its blazing red flowers each summer, the pōhutukawa is woven into the heart of our Kiwi Christmas celebrations. Whether you’re admiring its vibrant canopies along the coastline or considering planting one in your own backyard, the pōhutukawa stands as a beautiful symbol of the festive season and our unique flora. Discover why this captivating native tree has become an enduring part of New Zealand’s landscape and culture.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

5 from 1 customers

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers that bloom in early summer. Growing up to 20 metres tall, it features gnarled branches and leathery, silver-green leaves. Pōhutukawa is salt-tolerant, wind-hardy, and ideal for coastal planting, erosion control, and iconic feature trees. Its vibrant blooms and resilience make it a treasured symbol of summer and a standout in NZ landscapes.

From $26.93

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Trees
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: 10.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Native
A large Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' trees in an avenue with masses of red flowers.

Metrosideros 'Maori Princess'

5 from 1 customers

Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' is a stunning cultivar of the NZ Christmas tree (Pohutukawa) and is renowned for its brilliant crimson-red flowers and glossy green leaves. This upright, evergreen tree grows 6–10 metres tall, making it ideal for feature planting, coastal gardens, and urban landscapes. Flowering from early summer, it attracts birds and pollinators while providing year-round structure. Hardy and low-maintenance, 'Maori Princess' thrives in full sun, tolerates wind and salt spray, and suits a wide range of NZ conditions.

From $28.28

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Trees
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: 6.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Screening
Garden styles: Backyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Native
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Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Carpodetus, Cedrela, Crassula, Dacrycarpus, Dacrydium, Dysoxylum, Hoheria, Knightia, Laurelia, Libocedrus, Liriodendron, Magnolia, Melia, Metrosideros, Myoporum, Nestegis, Phyllocladus, Prumnopitys, Sequoiadendron, Sophora Sorbus and Vitex, or related Categories - Planter Bags, Deciduous Shrubs, Succulents, Deciduous Trees Evergreen Trees and Magnolia Trees.

Search nz native christmas tree

Why the Pōhutukawa is the NZ Native Christmas Tree

What gives the pōhutukawa its title as the NZ native Christmas tree is its spectacular flowering right in time for the holidays. From November to January, these majestic trees burst into fiery shades of crimson and scarlet. Coastal roads, parks, and gardens come alive with colour, marking the arrival of the festive season for many Kiwi families.

Hardy and salt-tolerant, Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa) thrives in New Zealand’s challenging coastal conditions. With its gnarled branches and silvery-green foliage, this tree not only provides summer shade and shelter for wildlife but also forms a living connection to our natural heritage.

Choose Your NZ Native Christmas Tree Variety

While the classic pōhutukawa is famous, there are fantastic cultivated forms worth considering for gardens of all sizes. The beautiful Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' offers a refined and upright growth habit with the same dazzling flower display. Suitable for urban courtyards or as a feature specimen, ‘Maori Princess’ is celebrated for its resilience and adaptability.

If you’re inspired to enhance your garden with other New Zealand natives alongside your Christmas tree, consider planting companions like Dysoxylum spectabile (New Zealand Mahogany), prized for its glossy leaves and fragrant blooms, Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka) for its elegant, feathery foliage, or Nestegis montana (Narrow-Leaved Maire), loved for its unique shape and rarity.

Planting and Caring for Your NZ Native Christmas Tree

Establishing a pōhutukawa or one of its cultivars in your garden is straightforward—and rewarding. These trees appreciate full sun and well-drained soil. Young plants benefit from regular watering in their first summers. Once established, they’re drought-tolerant and require minimal maintenance.

If coastal gardening is your focus, the pōhutukawa’s wind and salt resistance make it an ideal choice. It also supports biodiversity, attracting native birds and pollinators—a wonderful way to give back to the environment during the season of giving.

Celebrate the Season with a Native Touch

No tree better captures the Kiwi spirit of Christmas than the pōhutukawa. Whether planting the traditional Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa) or a contemporary variety like Metrosideros 'Maori Princess', you’re adding beauty, heritage, and ecological value to your landscape. Explore our range of NZ native trees today and make this year’s Christmas truly special—naturally.

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.

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Start your garden with Corokia Mangatangi and Avocado 'Reed', and add depth with lesser-known gems like Prunus 'Jim's Delight', Hebe Orphan Annie, and Hibiscus 'Isobel Beard'.
–The Plant Company

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