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puka tree for sale

If you're searching for a lush, lushly tropical native to transform your garden, look no further than a puka tree for sale. Meryta sinclairii, widely known as the puka, stands out with its glossy, massive leaves and architectural shape—delivering instant impact and an exotic look to New Zealand landscapes. This North Island native is prized for its rapid growth, shade tolerance, and ability to thrive both in gardens and coastal situations. Whether you are greening a shady courtyard or searching for a statement tree for your backyard oasis, the puka is an inspired choice.

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
A colourful Meryta sinclairii 'Moonlight' plant with cream and green variegated leaves.
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Meryta sinclairii Cream Edge tree with variegated foliage.
Most Popular Meryta sinclairii 'Cream Edge'

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Meryta sinclairii

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Why Choose Meryta sinclairii (Puka) for Your Garden?

The puka offers bold, evergreen foliage year-round—shiny, paddle-shaped leaves can reach up to 50cm across, making it a true focal point in any planting scheme. As a striking specimen tree, canopy filler, or subtropical garden anchor, Meryta sinclairii is ideally suited for modern New Zealand gardens. It handles wind well once established, tolerates salt-laden breezes on the coast, and makes an excellent low-maintenance option for both residential and commercial landscapes.

If you enjoy the look of puka, you may also be interested in the variegated Meryta sinclairii 'Cream Edge', which offers similar structure with a striking cream margin to its leaves, or the elegant Meryta sinclairii 'Moonlight', featuring luminous lime-green foliage.

Growing and Caring for Puka in New Zealand

The puka is surprisingly easy to establish. Plant in a warm, sheltered spot with well-drained soil for best results, although this tough native will adapt to most conditions except hard frost. Give your young tree a generous layer of mulch to conserve moisture and feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring to support lush growth. Puka trees can grow up to 8 metres tall over time, making them ideal for screening, shade, or as a dramatic backdrop in mixed plantings. They also thrive in large containers.

If you're looking to complement your puka, try pairing it with bold-flowered specimens like Magnolia campbellii or the refined foliage of Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki (Acer Hanami Nishiki) for extra garden interest.

Unique Features and Uses

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Meryta sinclairii provides valuable ecosystem contributions as a habitat for native birds, who enjoy sheltering among its broad leaves. Puka is also ideal for subtropical and coastal gardens, urban courtyards, or where you want year-round greenery in a low-maintenance design. For something truly different, experiment with companions like Acacia verticillata, Lagerstroemia indica 'Zuni', or try fragrant foliage options like Eugenia caryophyllata (Clove).

Find Your Puka Tree for Sale

Ready to bring the lush beauty of Meryta sinclairii to your home or landscape? Explore our range to find the perfect puka tree for sale, including unique varieties like Meryta sinclairii 'Cream Edge' and Meryta sinclairii 'Moonlight'. Our expert team lovingly grows each specimen, ensuring you receive a healthy, garden-ready puka to enjoy for years to come. Add this iconic New Zealand native to your landscape and enjoy tropical impact, easy care, and lasting beauty.


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 spotlight often lands on Gardenia radicans and Lomandra 'Tanika', but Sophora 'Little Baby', Muehlenbeckia astonii (Mingimingi), and Juncus maritimus (Sea Rush) deserve a standing ovation too.
–The Plant Company

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