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small flax

Searching for the perfect small flax to enhance your garden or landscape? Small flax varieties are prized in New Zealand gardens for their tidy form, architectural foliage, and the effortless texture they bring to pots, borders, and design features. With a range of leaf colours, from vivid greens to bronzed hues, these smaller-growing flaxes offer all the resilience and beauty of their larger relatives, but in a more compact size that's easy to work into almost any space.

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 forms a clump around 40–60 cm tall and wide, making it perfect for edging, borders, pots, or mass planting.

From $8.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 75 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, 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'

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 $12.95

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 '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$12.95
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$12.95
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$17.95
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 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
Callistemon 'Little John' shrub in a courtyard garden covered in elegant, red flowers.
Callistemon 'Little John'

Callistemon 'Little John' is a compact dwarf bottlebrush celebrated for its deep red flowers and fine blue green foliage. Flowering from spring into...

From$27.53
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...

dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2
Dianella Kentlyn

Dianella Kentlyn is a variety of the commonly known, Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

From$16.49
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$12.95
Phormium 'Black Magic' plants in a large pot and featuring elegant, dark-coloured foliage.
Phormium 'Black Magic'

Phormium ‘Black Magic’ is a striking NZ flax prized for its deep purple black foliage and strong architectural form. This evergreen variety adds year...

From$17.95
A Sophora chathamica tree growing in a garden with green foliage.
Sophora chathamica

Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is a stunning New Zealand native tree known for its masses of bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring...

From$33.05
haworthia-glabrata-
Haworthia Glabrata

Haworthia Glabrata is a small succulent that features rosettes of thick and fleshy leaves. The dark green leaves with silver lines have a rough...

From$17.87
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
Haworthia fasciata succulent growing in a pot.
Haworthia fasciata

Haworthia fasciata is a small succulent that features rosettes of thick and fleshy leaves. The dark green leaves with silver lines have a rough...

From$15.11
A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.
Phormium 'Dark Delight'

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...

From$17.95
Haworthia mirabilis 'Triebneriana' plant.
Haworthia mirabilis triebneriana (Haworthia mirabilis var Triebneriana)

Haworthia mirabilis Triebneriana is a small succulent that features rosettes of thick and fleshy leaves. The light green leaves with dark green...

From$15.11
zieria-prostrata--1
Zieria prostrata

Zieria prostrata is a low growing shrub, often used as a groundcover, and favoured for its pretty flowers. Through spring and summer, it bears masses...

From$12.95
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$8.50
Haworthia resendeana plant.
Haworthia resendeana

Haworthia resendeana is a small succulent features thick and fleshy leaves on short stems. The dark green leaves have a rough texture and afford...

From$20.63
murraya-paniculata-4
Murraya paniculata (Orange Jessamine)

Murraya paniculata, commonly known as Orange Jessamine, this is an attractive, medium-sized shrub grown for its foliage and flowers. It grows...

From$26.15
salvia-african-sky-
Salvia African Sky

Salvia African Sky is an herbaceous perennial grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long, slender, flower...

From$27.53
scutellaria-snowflakes--1
Scutellaria Snowflakes (Scutellaria Skullcap)

Scutellaria Snowflakes, commonly known as Scutellaria Skullcap or the Skullcaps plant, is grown for its foliage and flowers. This versatile and...

From$12.95
feijoa-bambina-
Feijoa 'Bambina'

Feijoa 'Bambina' is a compact, dwarf variety perfect for small gardens, patios, and containers. It grows to around 1.5 m tall and wide, forming a...

From$35.81
Isotoma fluviatilis plants grow as a ground cover, featuring lush, green foliage and attractive, blue flowers.
Isotoma fluviatilis

Isotoma fluviatilis features small, dark green leaves that give the appearance of a lush, green carpet. The foliage is adorned with masses of small...

From$13.95
Sophora microphylla specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.
Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

Sophora microphylla, commonly known as Weeping Kowhai, is a treasured New Zealand native tree admired for its graceful, drooping branches and masses...

From$28.91
Acer 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' specimen tree with lush, green foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' is a sought-after dwarf Japanese Maple prized for its dense, layered foliage and elegant form. Its small...

From$299.95
Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla) plants with lush green foliage.
Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood)

Buxus microphylla, commonly known as Japanese Box or Littleleaf Boxwood, is a compact evergreen shrub renowned for its dense, glossy green foliage...

From$16.95
fuscospora-solandri-
Fuscospora solandri (Black Beech)

Commonly known as Black Beech, this is a large, evergreen tree native to NZ. The foliage comprises small, dark green leaves which are held densely in...

From$270.40
Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki tree with lush green foliage.
Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki (Acer Hanami Nishiki)

Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki is a stunning Japanese Maple due to its delicate foliage and small stature. Small and soft looking leaves emerge...

From$399.95
tilia-cordata-1
Tilia cordata

Tilia cordata, commonly known as the Small Leaved Lime, is grown for its lush foliage and great form. The medium sized, heart-shaped leaves emerge in...

From$515.35
Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search small flax

Why Choose Small Flax?

Small flax varieties are a favourite recommendation among Kiwi gardeners looking to add native structure without overwhelming the garden. Their compact growth (often only reaching around 30–60cm tall) means they're perfect for sunny courtyards, mass planting, edging pathways, or softening hardscape features. Their neat clumps provide a lush, formal look year-round and require minimal upkeep, making them a practical choice for home gardeners and landscapers alike.

Small flax plants are not only visually appealing, but they're also tough as nails. These natives tolerate coastal winds, moderate frost, and are generally untroubled by drought once established. Thanks to their fibrous leaves and hardy roots, small flax varieties outcompete most weeds and hold their shape whatever the season.

Top Small Flax Varieties for Kiwi Gardens

New Zealand’s small flax selection is better than ever, with cultivars offering a spectrum of leaf colours and growth styles. Some of the most sought-after include:

How to Grow and Use Small Flax

Small flax is incredibly versatile. Use it as a feature in low-maintenance garden beds, pair it with other New Zealand natives, or dot it throughout gravel and rock gardens for year-round foliage interest. Its compact nature makes it perfect for urban gardens where space is at a premium. Small flax also thrives in containers—just ensure a free-draining mix and water regularly in summer.

For best results, plant your small flax in a sunny to lightly shaded spot with well-drained soil. Once established, these flaxes are drought-tolerant and require little intervention apart from trimming away any old or damaged leaves.

Shop New Zealand Grown Small Flax

Whether you’re starting a native garden or refreshing an established border, small flax makes a stylish, low-fuss choice. Explore our range of quality, New Zealand-grown small flax plants, including Phormium 'Surfer Boy' (Surfer Boy Flax), Phormium 'Pixie' (Pixie Flax), Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax), Phormium 'Green Dwarf', and Phormium 'Chocolate Chip' (Chocolate Chip Flax). Transform your patch with long-lasting beauty and legendary New Zealand hardiness.

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.
Celebrate your favourites like Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac' and Rhododendron 'Black Magic', then branch out with Feijoa 'Kaiteri', Coprosma 'Rainbow Surprise', and Cerastium tomentosum.
–The Plant Company

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