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puka plant for sale nz

Looking for a lush, striking feature for your New Zealand garden? Discover the Puka plant for sale NZ wide, also known by its botanical name, Meryta sinclairii. Native to New Zealand’s North Island, the Puka is celebrated for its bold, tropical look and adaptability to coastal climates. With its large, glossy leaves and impressive structure, Meryta sinclairii adds a distinctive architectural presence to any planting scheme, withstanding salty winds and even light frosts. Whether you’re seeking a standout specimen tree, aiming to create a privacy screen, or building a lush subtropical landscape, the Puka plant is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Meryta sinclairii

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Meryta sinclairii, commonly known as the Puka Tree or Puka Plant, is a NZ native shrub with a lush and tropical appearance. It bears large and glossy, dark green leaves and grows quickly to about 5 m tall and 4 m wide. Puka are great plants for coastal and tropical gardens and is also commonly used as a backdrop for smaller plants. It is also well suited for screening or for planting around pool or barbecue areas. Meryta sinclairii can also be grown as a potted plant indoors for 2-3 years (or more) before being moved into the garden.

A Meryta sinclairii (Puka) specimen tree.
  • Suited to regions:
    Subtropical, Temperate
  • Plant type:
    Trees
  • Height:
    5.00 m
  • Spread:
    4.00 m
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal
  • Garden uses:
    Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
  • Garden styles:
    Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Tropical
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Meryta sinclairii 'Moonlight'

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Meryta sinclairii

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Why Choose Meryta sinclairii for Your Garden

Meryta sinclairii thrives in sheltered locations, particularly where the risk of heavy frosts is low. Its remarkable, spoon-shaped leaves can grow up to 50cm long, making the Puka instantly recognisable and a favourite among NZ gardeners wanting a tropical flair. Fast-growing and resilient, the Puka plant is well-suited to coastal gardens, courtyards, and anywhere in need of evergreen structure. With minimal maintenance requirements and superb drought tolerance once established, it’s perfect for busy garden lovers and landscape designers alike.

Versatile Uses of the Puka Plant

The Puka adapts seamlessly to many planting styles. Use it as a bold accent in a mixed border with natives, or let it shine as a standalone specimen against modern architecture. Because it handles salt-laden winds, Meryta sinclairii is popular in seaside gardens across New Zealand. If you appreciate the distinct look of Puka but want to explore variegated foliage, consider adding Meryta sinclairii 'Cream Edge' or the luminous Meryta sinclairii 'Moonlight' cultivars to your landscape for extra interest and colour contrast.

How to Grow and Care for Meryta sinclairii

Plant your Puka in well-drained soil with some protection from harsh winds and extreme cold. It’s happiest in partial shade or filtered sunlight but can tolerate full sun in milder regions. Water regularly during the establishment phase, then reduce as the plant matures. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, and provide a slow-release fertiliser each spring to encourage lush, healthy growth.

Pair Puka with Other Unique Trees

Expand your collection by pairing the dramatic Puka with other remarkable trees such as Leucadendron argenteum for shimmering silver foliage, Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree) for grand scale, or Ginkgo Saratoga for seasonal golden hues. Lovers of elegant foliage might also enjoy Acer palmatum 'Green Mist' (Japanese Maple) and Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Cimmzam'.

Shop Puka Plant for Sale NZ

Ready to transform your garden with this iconic New Zealand native? Browse our premium range of Meryta sinclairii and discover why the Puka plant is prized for bold beauty, resilience, and instant landscape impact. Order online for delivery nationwide, and enjoy the unique appeal of Meryta sinclairii in gardens throughout NZ.


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.

–The Plant Company

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