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purple new zealand flax

Are you searching for a bold, architectural plant to transform your garden? Purple New Zealand flax offers a stunning combination of deep, purple-hued foliage and low-maintenance reliability. With strong, upright leaves and attractive colour that intensifies in full sun, purple New Zealand flax is a top choice for New Zealand gardens, whether you’re designing a modern landscape, coastal border, or natural native planting. Its versatility, durability, and visual impact make it a firm favourite for homeowners, landscape designers, and anyone wanting to add year-round interest.

Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.

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.

From $7.50

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
A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.

Phormium 'Dark Delight'

5 from 3 customers

Phormium 'Dark Delight', also known as Dark Purple Flax, is a bold New Zealand native flax prized for its broad, upright leaves in deep purple to bronze shades. This striking ornamental variety brings drama, colour, and structure to gardens year round.

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
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$14.95
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
Dianella tasmanica (Tasman Flax Lily) plants with green foliage and blue flowers.
Dianella tasmanica

Dianella tasmanica, commonly known as the Tasman Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green and have a lush...

From$19.25
Pseudopanax lessonii purpurea shrub in a garden with purple and green foliage.
Pseudopanax lessonii purpurea

Pseudopanax lessonii 'Purpurea' is a striking New Zealand native shrub admired for its rich purple toned foliage and bold architectural form. This...

From$387.55
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
Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' flower cluster.
Hoya pubicalyx 'Royal Hawaiian Purple'

Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' is a stunning evergreen climber prized for its thick glossy foliage and clusters of richly coloured star shaped flowers...

From$20.63
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 '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
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$18.95
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 '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-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...

From$19.95
acer-nigrum-
Acer platanoides Nigrum

Acer platanoides 'Nigrum' is a striking deciduous tree valued for its large deep purple foliage and impressive shade creating canopy. The richly...

From$299.95
Beilschmiedia tarairi (Taraire) trees growing in a modern garden.
Beilschmiedia tarairi (Taraire)

Beilschmiedia tarairi, commonly known as the Taraire tree, is a unique, NZ native tree. Its prominent feature is the masses of olive-like, purple...

From$270.40
coprosma-repens-plum-hussey--1
Coprosma 'Plum Hussey'

Coprosma 'Plum Hussey' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its rich plum purple foliage and naturally dense growth habit. This colourful New...

From$17.95
prunus-thundercloud-4
Prunus 'Thundercloud'

Prunus 'Thundercloud' is a striking ornamental plum tree admired for its rich purple foliage and masses of soft pink flowers during spring. This...

From$349.95
Acaena inermis purpurea with small purple leaves.
Acaena purpurea (Piripiri)

Acaena purpurea, commonly known as Purple Bidibidi, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover admired for its striking purple foliage and creeping...

From$10.95
fraxinus-purple-spire-2
Fraxinus 'Purple Spire'

Fraxinus 'Purple Spire' is an elegant deciduous tree admired for its upright narrow habit and outstanding autumn foliage that develops rich purple...

From$387.55
A large Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa tree).
Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa Tree)

Beilschmiedia tawa, commonly known as the Tawa Tree, is a tall and graceful evergreen native to New Zealand. It is admired for its straight trunk...

From$313.00
Dianella nigra plant with masses of blue berries.
Dianella nigra (New Zealand Blueberry)

Dianella nigra, commonly known as the New Zealand Blueberry or Tūrutu, is a NZ native that features lush foliage and glossy berries that vary in...

From$16.49
Lavender 'Major' plants with purple flowers above olive-green foliage.
Lavender 'Major'

Lavender 'Major' is an impressive lavender variety known for its tall flower spikes and rich purple blooms held above aromatic grey green foliage...

From$18.95
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
Arthropodium 'Te Puna' plants with elegant white flowers bordering a path.
Arthropodium 'Te Puna' (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium ‘Te Puna’ is a compact New Zealand native perennial valued for its tidy clumping habit, slender green foliage, and masses of starry...

From$16.50
Dysoxylum spectabile tree.
Dysoxylum spectabile (New Zealand Mahogany)

Dysoxylum spectabile, commonly known as Kohekohe, is a majestic NZ native tree admired for its glossy dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant...

From$323.65
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga) plants in flower with lush green foliage in a border garden.
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium cirratum, commonly known as Rengarenga Lily or New Zealand Rock Lily, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to New Zealand. It...

From$9.95
gazania-new-day-red-stripe--1
Gazania 'New Day Red Stripe'

Gazania 'New Day Red Stripe' is a colourful perennial valued for its distinctive striped flowers, compact habit, and long flowering performance. The...

From$20.63
Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka) tree with green-yellow foliage.
Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka)

Libocedrus plumosa, commonly known as Kawaka, is a majestic NZ native conifer valued for its graceful, feathery foliage and elegant pyramidal form...

From$323.65
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' specimen tree.
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain'

The Purple Fountain beech is a variety of European Beech tree that features colourful foliage and weeping branches. The glossy leaves emerge deep...

From$270.40
Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Dianella, Hoya, and Phormium, or related Categories - Flaxes, Indoor Plants, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search purple new zealand flax

Why Choose Purple New Zealand Flax?

Purple New Zealand flax stands out because of its rich, dark foliage. The saturated plum and burgundy tones create contrast against green lawns, bright flowers, or lighter ornamental grasses. These plants don’t just look good; they have exceptional tolerance for wind, salt spray, and drought, making them perfect for coastal locations, exposed gardens, and areas with poor soil. Once established, purple New Zealand flax requires minimal maintenance, with little more than the occasional tidy-up of old leaves.

Popular Varieties of Purple New Zealand Flax

If you’re looking to buy or learn more about purple New Zealand flax, there are several standout cultivars, each with unique features for your landscape:

Using Purple New Zealand Flax in the Garden

Purple New Zealand flax isn’t just about good looks. These robust plants are ideal for hedges, windbreaks, architectural statement pieces, or mixed native borders. Combine them with soft-textured grasses or strappy foliage companions for maximum impact. For example, try pairing with Dianella 'Little Jess' for a blue-toned groundcover, or with Dianella Blaze for an eye-catching interplay of colour and height. Purple New Zealand flax is also fantastic in pots or planters on decks, entryways, and patios where its foliage really shines.

Care Tips for Healthy Purple New Zealand Flax

To keep your purple New Zealand flax looking its best, plant in well-drained soil and offer plenty of sun for the richest leaf colour. Occasional watering during long dry spells helps establishment, and trimming away spent or damaged leaves keeps them tidy. These hardy plants rarely suffer from pests or disease, rewarding you with structure and form year after year.

Ready to add dramatic colour, structure, and easy-care style to your landscape? Explore our selection of purple New Zealand flax, including favourites like Phormium tenax purpureum (Purple Flax), Phormium 'Purple Haze' (Purple Flax Plant), and other standout varieties to craft a unique, vibrant garden that endures.

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.
Let Gardenia 'Veitchii' and Alcantarea imperialis 'Rubra' draw you in — then let Metrosideros 'Maori Princess', Ficus 'Ruby', and Pittosporum 'Midget' (Dwarf Pittosporum) keep you inspired.
–The Plant Company

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