Phormium tenax

What are the garden uses for the Phormium tenax plant in NZ?

Phormium tenax is a much-loved flax in NZ gardens. This amazing plant is commonly used in border plantings, planted beside water features, maintained in a container, added to a mixed planting, or mass planted on a bank. It is well suited to modern and native plantings where it brings height and texture to an area. Little wonder Phormium tenax is so popular in garden designs with landscapers across NZ.

Where to buy Phormium tenax plants

The Plant Company has the best Phormium tenax plants to buy in NZ. Our production nursery specialises in growing amazing plants and our logistics team pack them carefully for our customers. The pricing is competitive and the quality is exceptional. Let us look after your plant needs and impress you with both our products and service!

Phormium tenax care

Phormium tenax care is simply about getting a few easy things right so the plant thrives. They prefer a full sun or part shade position. A well-drained, fertile soil is crucial for success as heavy and wet soils can cause root rot issues. Adding organic matter like compost into the soil during planting will help with soil fertility. They prefer a dry soil but will benefit from watering during dry periods but be careful to avoid overwatering. Applying shrub fertiliser in spring will keep the plants well-fed for the year. Applying mulch around the base of the plant helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Monitor for mealy bugs around the roots and treat as needed with a systemic insecticide or soil drench.

What does Phormium tenax flax need to grow well?

Phormium tenax grows best when positioned in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained soil. This flax is tolerant of frost, coastal environments, wind, and humid climates. It is a hardy variety that will cope with most conditions, but like all things, the better the growing conditions, the better it will perform.

What size does Phormium tenax grow to?

Phormium tenax typically grows to 2 metres tall and the same wide. This is an approximation as the climate, level of shade, and amount of care the plant receives will all influence these numbers.

What does the Phormium tenax flower look like?

The Phormium tenax (harakeke or New Zealand flax) flower is quite distinctive and plays an important role in the plant's life cycle. Mature Phormium tenax plants produce very tall, erect flower stalks that can reach up to 4-6 metres in height, significantly towering over the foliage. The flowers themselves are tubular in shape and typically measure around 2.5-5 cm long. They are arranged in dense, branched clusters (panicles) along the upper part of the flower stalk. The most common flower colour of the flowers is brown-red. However, they can also be pink or yellow, depending on the specific plant and sometimes even cultivars. The flowers produce an abundant amount of nectar, which is a crucial food source for native birds like the tūī and bellbird, as well as insects. The shape of the tubular flower is perfectly adapted to the beak of the tūī. Flowering typically occurs in summer.

What is the common name for Phormium tenax?

The most common name for Phormium tenax is flax. However, it's important to note that in New Zealand, it is most commonly called harakeke, which is its Māori name. Outside of New Zealand it is often referred to as New Zealand flax. Historically, particularly in nautical contexts, it was also known as New Zealand hemp due to its strong fibres.

Large Phormium tenax for sale

If you are looking for large sizes of Phormium tenax, simply email shop@theplantcompany.co.nz and the team will try and source your plant needs. NB: The Plant Company also has smaller size grades of Phormium tenax for sale too!