Skip to content

New Zealand Flax

Phormium Tenax

Design with this plant

Overview

New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax) stands out with sword-shaped, evergreen leaves reaching up to 10 feet long and 5 inches wide. Its dramatic foliage ranges from olive green to bronze, and in summer, it shoots up striking flower stalks up to 13 feet, attracting pollinators. Hardy in zones 8-11, it thrives in full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soil. Ideal as a focal point or in mass plantings for textural contrast.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater LowZones 9–10Climate Subtropical
New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax) stands out with sword-shaped
New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax) stands out with sword-shapedNew Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — evergreen leaves reaching up to 10 feet long and 5 inches wideNew Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — it shoots up striking flower stalks up to 13 feet

Culture

Sun
Full, Half, Shade
Water
Low
USDA zones
9–10

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Agavaceae
Climate
Subtropical

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (4)

New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — Its dramatic foliage ranges from olive green to bronze
New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax) stands out with sword-shaped
New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — evergreen leaves reaching up to 10 feet long and 5 inches wide
New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — it shoots up striking flower stalks up to 13 feet

Related plants