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phormium size

Wondering about phormium size and which New Zealand flax varieties will suit your garden or landscaping project? Phormiums are treasured for their striking foliage and versatility, but their mature size varies widely depending on the cultivar. From compact forms ideal for pots and borders, to towering architectural specimens, understanding the size of different phormium varieties will help you choose the perfect plant for your space.

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.

From $14.95

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-pepe-

Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium 'Pepe' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine green foliage and neat mounding growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides year round texture, movement, and structure, making it a versatile choice for gardens of all sizes.

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
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$14.95
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$14.95
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$14.95
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$7.50
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$249.95
Phormium 'Emerald Green' plants in a mixed planting.
Phormium 'Emerald Green'

Phormium 'Emerald Green' is a compact New Zealand flax valued for its rich emerald green foliage and tidy growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides...

From$14.95
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$8.50
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$14.95
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$8.50
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Phormium 'Spearmint'

Phormium 'Spearmint' is an attractive New Zealand flax prized for its fresh green foliage highlighted with creamy margins. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Taya'

Phormium 'Taya' is a beautiful New Zealand flax valued for its elegant foliage and strong architectural form. This hardy evergreen provides year...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Blondie'

Phormium 'Blondie' is a compact New Zealand flax admired for its bright golden yellow foliage that brings year round colour and texture to the...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Duet'

Phormium 'Duet' is a striking New Zealand flax valued for its attractive green leaves edged with creamy yellow margins. This evergreen plant provides...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Majestic Rage' purple flax plants.
Phormium 'Majestic Rage'

Phormium 'Majestic Rage' is a variety of Flax that produces long and broad leaves that are a rich bronze colour. This variety grows to 1.3 m tall and...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Elfin' flax plant.
Phormium 'Elfin'

Phormium 'Elfin' is a dwarf variety of flax that produces narrow, sword-like leaves that are coloured brown-bronze. This variety typically grows to...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-coffee-1
Phormium 'Coffee'

Phormium 'Coffee' is a striking New Zealand flax renowned for its rich coffee brown foliage that adds year round colour, texture, and structure to...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Apricot Queen' orange, green, and yellow variegated foliage.
Phormium 'Apricot Queen'

Phormium 'Apricot Queen' is a stunning NZ flax variety valued for its arching leaves striped with apricot, cream, and green tones. This colourful...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-maori-chief-
Phormium 'Maori Chief'

Phormium 'Maori Chief' is a bold New Zealand flax valued for its impressive size, rich bronze green foliage, and strong architectural presence. This...

OUT OF STOCK
A Phormium 'Dazzler' plant with colourful, red and purple foliage.
Phormium 'Dazzler'

Phormium 'Dazzler' is a variety of flax that produces long leaves that are dark purple with rose-pink stripes. It typically grows to 1.2 m tall and...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-shiraz-
Phormium 'Shiraz'

Phormium 'Shiraz' is a striking New Zealand flax renowned for its rich burgundy red foliage and bold architectural form. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Joker' large and colourful plant.
Phormium 'Joker'

Phormium 'Joker' is a colourful New Zealand flax celebrated for its striking foliage featuring bronze green leaves with vibrant pink and cream...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden' flax plants with colourful pink and purple foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden'

Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax variety admired for its striking pink, bronze, and green striped foliage. This...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-chocomint--2
Phormium 'Chocomint'

Phormium 'Chocomint' is a striking New Zealand flax admired for its unique foliage colouring that blends chocolate brown and green tones. This...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium colensoi plant.
Phormium colensoi

Phormium colensoi is a graceful New Zealand native flax valued for its softer, more arching foliage and natural elegance. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-pink-panther-
Phormium 'Pink Panther'

Phormium 'Pink Panther' is a striking New Zealand flax admired for its colourful foliage featuring shades of pink, bronze, and green. This eye...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Pixie'

Phormium 'Pixie' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine arching foliage and neat growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides year round...

OUT OF STOCK
A colourful Phormium 'Merlot' dark red-purple flax plant.
Phormium 'Merlot'

Phormium Merlot is a variety of Flax that produces long and broad, sword like leaves that are coloured dark purple-grey with a distinctive black...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Sunset Dreams' colourful foliage.
Phormium 'Sunset Dreams'

Phormium 'Sunset Dreams' is a stunning New Zealand native flax variety celebrated for its vibrant foliage of pink, apricot, and bronze tones. This...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Thumbelina' plant.
Phormium 'Thumbelina'

Phormium 'Thumbelina' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine arching foliage and neat rounded form. This attractive evergreen provides...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Tom Thumb' plants with lush green foliage for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Tom Thumb'

Phormium 'Tom Thumb' is a hardy variety of Flax that grows to 60 cm tall and the same wide, carrying narrow, sword-like green-brown leaves. Phormium...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Surfer'

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Phormium, or related Categories - Flaxes.

Search phormium size

What Determines Phormium Size?

Phormium size depends primarily on the variety, though conditions like soil, sunlight, and moisture can influence their final height and spread. Some cultivars are bred to stay small, making them great for urban gardens and containers, while others grow into impressively large, bold specimens. Typically, phormiums range from around 50cm up to 3m tall, with foliage spreading to create a dramatic effect.

Small Phormiums for Compact Spaces

If you’re looking for a flax that won’t outgrow its welcome, there are several small cultivars to consider. Phormium 'Elfin' is a standout for its petite size, usually reaching around 40–50cm in height, making it ideal for low borders or pot displays. Phormium 'Surfer' is another compact variety, growing up to about 60cm, which blends well with other ornamental grasses or as edging along pathways.

Medium Phormium Varieties

Medium-sized phormiums suit most garden beds and mixed plantings, offering sculptural foliage without overwhelming nearby plants. Phormium 'Apricot Queen' typically grows to about 1–1.2m tall, with a broad clump of colourful leaves. These mid-sized varieties provide plenty of visual impact while remaining easy to manage in suburban gardens.

Large and Architectural Flaxes

For bold, dramatic statements, large phormiums are a popular choice. Phormium 'Majestic Rage' can reach heights around 2m, developing a broad, arching form that’s perfect for focal points or screening. Phormium 'Dazzler' is another impressive cultivar, commonly growing to 1.5–2m, with vivid foliage that stands out in any landscape design. These large phormiums create striking structure and are excellent for windbreaks or background planting.

Choosing the Best Phormium Size for Your Garden

When deciding on a phormium size, think about your available space, design goals, and maintenance preferences. Smaller varieties such as Phormium 'Elfin' and Phormium 'Surfer' work well in tight spaces or containers, while larger cultivars like Phormium 'Majestic Rage' and Phormium 'Dazzler' are perfect for open gardens or to create a dramatic visual anchor.

Whatever your requirements, there’s a phormium to suit every garden. New Zealand flax brings colour, texture, and versatility all year round—and with the right phormium size, you can create a landscape that’s both beautiful and easy to care for.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily' and Lomandra Lime Tuff turn heads, but Baumea articulata, Acer freemanii 'Jeffersred', and Acacia howittii (Sticky Wattle) quietly charm the most seasoned gardeners.
–The Plant Company

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