Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

phormium tenax nz

Phormium tenax NZ, also known as New Zealand Flax or Harakeke, is a striking native plant admired for its architectural foliage and resilience. Widely cultivated across New Zealand, Phormium tenax NZ is not only a landscape favourite but also a significant species in Māori culture, valued for its strong fibres and useful properties. Whether you're designing a contemporary garden, restoring a natural space, or seeking robust greenery for coastal conditions, NZ Flax stands out for its versatility and beauty. Discover why Phormium tenax NZ is an essential addition to gardens and how to select, plant, and care for it.

Phormium tenax

5 from 2 customers

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 foliage in summer to bear twisted-looking flowers that result in black seed pods in autumn, and the nectar produced by the flowers attracts both birds and butterflies. Harakeke grows as a clump to about 2 m tall and the same wide, performing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained site. It is a popular landscape option that is also often used to contrast with other plant colours. Mass planting on a bank not only provides an outstanding display but is also excellent for helping to stabilise the soil.

Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Flaxes
  • Height:
    2.00 m
  • Spread:
    2.00 m
  • Flowering time:
    Summer
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
  • Garden uses:
    Banks, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
  • Garden styles:
    Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.
Most Popular

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
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.
Most Popular

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$16.13
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Most Popular

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 'Surfer Bronze' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Most Popular

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$18.23
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Most Popular

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
Large Astelia chathamica in a garden with silver flax-like leaves.
Most Popular

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-blaze-
Most Popular

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$16.13
phormium-stripy-mist-
Most Popular

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
dianella-caerulea-goddess-
Most Popular

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
A mass planting of Dianella caerulea 'Little Jess' plants with lush, green foliage.
Most Popular

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$18.83
Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Phormium or Flaxes.

Search Phormium tenax

About Phormium tenax NZ

Phormium tenax NZ is an evergreen perennial with distinctive sword-shaped leaves that can reach up to three metres in height. Its upright growth, bold green foliage, and tall red flower spikes make it ideal for dramatic garden displays, shelter belts, and windbreaks. A true survivor, NZ Flax tolerates poor soils, salt-laden winds, and drought, making it perfect for exposed coastal gardens or low-maintenance landscaping.

Uses in New Zealand Gardens

Native to Aotearoa, Phormium tenax NZ is a versatile plant with multiple uses. It thrives in:

The plant’s fibres have been historically used for weaving by Māori, creating baskets, mats, and other traditional artefacts.

Growing and Caring for Phormium tenax NZ

Phormium tenax NZ is remarkably easy to grow. Plant in full sun to partial shade, in moist but well-drained soil. Established plants tolerate drought and poor soil, requiring minimal maintenance. Simply remove dead leaves at the base annually to keep the plant tidy and healthy.

For gardeners seeking colour and compactness, browse related Phormium cultivars like Phormium 'Evening Glow', Phormium 'Green Dwarf', and Phormium 'Emerald Gem'. Each offers a unique foliage colour and growth habit to complement any garden style.

Popular Companion Plants

Enhance your Phormium tenax NZ plantings with companion species. Consider bold foliage plants such as Cordyline Cabernet, or add texture and flower colour with Libertia formosa (Chilean Iris) and Libertia 'Taupo Sunset'. For a vibrant flax collection, try Phormium 'Jester', Phormium 'Surfer', or the eye-catching Phormium 'Joker'. Even unique succulents like Beschorneria 'Reality' pair well with NZ Flax in dry gardens.

Why Choose Phormium tenax NZ?

Choosing Phormium tenax NZ means investing in a plant that's native, hardy, and visually impressive. Its adaptability to diverse conditions and year-round appeal make it a lasting asset to New Zealand gardens, whether you're seeking a natural shelter, bold statement, or ecological restoration solution. Explore our selection today and bring this iconic New Zealand plant into your landscape.


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.

Our garden favourites Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood) and Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree) get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Salvia 'Riverton Red', Hydrangea quercifolia Snowflake, and Grevillea prostrata Aurea.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.9

433 Google reviews