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where is flax grown

If you find yourself wondering "where is flax grown," you are not alone. Flax, especially the varieties known as New Zealand flax or Phormium, plays a significant role in both gardening and the wider landscape of New Zealand. Famous for its sword-shaped foliage and vibrant colours, flax thrives in a variety of settings and is admired around the world for its resilience and unique aesthetic.

Phormium cookianum

4.5 from 2 customers

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall flower spikes. It typically grows 1–1.5 metres tall and wide, making it ideal for borders, mass plantings, or coastal gardens.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Living areas, Ponds
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Riparian
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
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
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
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
Dianella 'Blaze' plants featuring stunning bronze-green foliage in a garden.
Dianella 'Blaze'

Dianella 'Blaze' is a striking flax lily grown for its colourful, strap like foliage that develops rich shades of green, bronze, and fiery red...

From$16.49
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 '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
dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2
Dianella 'Kentlyn'

Dianella 'Kentlyn' is a hardy evergreen flax lily valued for its graceful arching blue green foliage that provides year round colour and texture...

From$16.49
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
Dianella Revelation plants growing in a garden.
Dianella 'Revelation'

Dianella 'Revelation' features flower stems that rise above the foliage through spring and summer to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers, which...

From$16.49
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
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
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

From$27.53
Callistemon 'Genoa Glory' shrub covered in pretty, red flowers.
Callistemon 'Genoa Glory' (Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Genoa Glory' is a striking bottlebrush variety known for its vivid crimson red flower spikes and lush evergreen foliage. Flowering from...

From$27.53
Callistemon citrinus 'Red Cluster' small tree with masses of red, pendulous flowers.
Callistemon 'Red Cluster' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Red Cluster' is a striking bottlebrush variety valued for its clusters of vivid red flower spikes and dense evergreen foliage. Flowering...

From$37.19
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$323.65
Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' plant with pink flowers and foliage variegated green and yellow.
Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow'

Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' is an architectural evergreen prized for its variegated sword like leaves washed with soft gold and green tones. In...

From$37.19
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
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
pb-8-planter-bags-1
PB8 Planter Bags (Mushroom Grow Bags)

PB8 Planter Bags are a practical and economical option for growing larger trees, shrubs, fruit plants, natives, and other established nursery stock...

From$51.69
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' plant in a pot.
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring, which are followed by small, blue berries in summer. These are...

From$20.63
35-litre-planter-bags-4
35L Planter Bags (Grow Bags For Potatoes)

35L Planter Bags are a practical and durable option for growing trees, shrubs, fruit plants, natives, and larger nursery stock. Their flexible...

From$8.93
pb-40-planter-bags-
PB40 Planter Bags (Tomato Grow Bag)

PB40 Planter Bags are a durable and practical option for growing large trees, shrubs, fruit plants, natives, and advanced nursery stock. Their...

From$121.64
A stunning Cordyline 'Salsa' plant with pink and purple striped foliage.
Cordyline 'Salsa'

Cordyline 'Salsa' is a striking evergreen foliage plant valued for its colourful, sword shaped leaves and strong architectural form. The vibrant...

From$25.95
Phormium 'Cream Delight' plant in a garden.
Phormium 'Cream Delight' (Cream Delight Flax)

Phormium 'Cream Delight' is a variety of Flax that produces leaves that are variegated with dark green and cream. This variety grows to 1.3 m tall...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
A large and colourful Phormium cookianum 'Purpurea' plant.
Phormium cookianum 'Purpurea'

Phormium cookianum 'Purpurea' is a variety of Flax with long, sword-like, purple leaves. This variety typically grows to 1.5 m tall and the same...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Crimson Devil' plant with colourful foliage in a garden.
Phormium 'Crimson Devil' (Red Flax)

Phormium 'Crimson Devil' is a variety of Flax that produces leaves that are coloured various shades of red. This flax grows to 1.3 m tall and the...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-tenax-purpurea-1
Phormium tenax 'Purpureum' (Purple Flax)

Phormium tenax 'Purpureum' is a bold New Zealand flax valued for its rich purple bronze foliage and strong architectural form. This evergreen native...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' flax plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Rainbow Queen'

Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' is a variety of Flax that produces long, sword-like leaves that are bronze-green with pink-red margins. This variety...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Bronze Baby' growing alongside a stream.
Phormium 'Bronze Baby'

Phormium 'Bronze Baby', commonly known as Bronze Flax, is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its fine, arching leaves in rich bronze...

OUT OF STOCK

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

Search where is flax grown

Where Flax Naturally Grows

Flax is predominantly grown throughout New Zealand. Two main species, Phormium tenax and Phormium cookianum, are native to the country. Wild flax can be found in coastal areas, lowland wetlands, riverbanks, and even subalpine zones. Its robust nature allows it to withstand strong winds, salt-laden air, and poor soils, making it a staple plant along the New Zealand coastlines and rural environments. In particular, flax plays a vital role in Maori culture, where its tough fibres have been woven into ropes, baskets, and traditional cloaks.

Cultivated Flax Varieties and Their Locations

While wild flax forms the backbone of the New Zealand landscape, cultivated varieties have become immensely popular in gardens, parks, and commercial plantings throughout New Zealand and beyond. Flax is now widely grown in home gardens, especially in Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga, and Christchurch, due to its low maintenance and year-round visual appeal. If you’re interested in adding striking colours to your garden, explore options like Phormium 'Moonraker' (Moonraker Flax), which provides stunning golden-green foliage, or the bold Phormium 'Licorice and Lime' (Licorice and Lime Flax).

Flax Around the World

Although New Zealand is the heartland for Phormium flax, these striking plants are also cultivated in temperate regions around the world. Gardeners in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have discovered that flax performs well in a range of conditions, given good drainage and full to partial sun. This broad adaptability has made Phormium a favourite for low-maintenance borders, architectural plantings, and containers globally.

Choosing Flax for Your Garden

If you are inspired by where flax is grown and wish to bring its beauty into your home landscape, consider selecting from a wide range of cultivars. For example, Phormium 'Purple Haze' (Purple Flax Plant) brings dramatic deep burgundy foliage, while Phormium 'Anna Red' (Anna Red Flax) adds brilliant crimson highlights. If you prefer something variegated, Phormium 'Cream Delight' (Cream Delight Flax) will brighten any garden setting.

Conclusion

So, where is flax grown? Its roots are in New Zealand’s wild and cultivated landscapes, but today flax can be found in gardens worldwide, from local wetlands to urban planters. Whether you love the traditional look or seek bold, modern colours, there is a flax variety ready to thrive in your location. Explore our collection for expert tips on introducing these iconic plants to your home garden.

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.
Garden icons like Heuchera 'Peppermint Spice' and Ficus 'Tuffi' lead the way, but there’s magic in discovering Hebe diosmifolia, Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue' (Silver Gum), and Pseudowintera 'Red Glow'.
–The Plant Company

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