New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax)

New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) is a shrub that can grow 3m – 8m tall and 1.5m – 3m wide.

This plant has several common names including: New Zealand flax, common flax lily, flax bush or New Zealand hemp.

This is a evergreen plant that takes 10-20 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: New Zealand flax, common flax lily, flax bush, New Zealand hemp
Scientific name: Phormium tenax
Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Clump-forming
Height: 3m – 8m
Spread: 1.5m – 3m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Architectural, City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Rock & Gravel Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance

Seasonal colors

How to plant New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) – Avenue, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cultivation profiles – Growing New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) – Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons