Astelia fragrans - Bush Flax, Kakaha, Bush Lilly

from $8.00

Kakaha is the most common Astelia species in New Zealand, valued for its bold, architectural foliage and strong ecological role. With long sword-like leaves and bright orange berries, it is an excellent choice for forest understories, riparian margins, pioneer plantings, and containers.

🌱 Plant Facts

  • Growth habit: Robust, clump-forming perennial

  • Foliage: Long, sword-like green leaves; midribs often tinged red

  • Flowers: Central clumps of green to yellow flowers

  • Fruit: Bright orange berries, highly attractive to birds

  • Height: Up to 1.5 m

  • Flowering: October – November

  • Fruiting: December – March

🌍 Natural Habitat

  • Occupies a wide range of moist environments

  • Found on forest floors, cliffs, rock bluffs, lakeshore scarps, stream margins, and swamps

  • Performs best in sheltered, semi-shaded sites

🌿 Growing Environment

  • Sand tolerant

  • Sun tolerant (also performs well in shade)

  • Drought tolerant once established

  • Shade tolerant

  • Salt tolerant

  • Wetland tolerant

  • Wind tolerant

  • Coastal tolerant

  • Free-draining soil tolerant

 

An exceptionally adaptable species suitable for a wide range of planting situations.

📍 Endemic Distribution

  • Common throughout New Zealand, from sea level up to approximately 900 m elevation

🌾 Uses

  • Bird food and attractant

  • Riparian and wetland margins

  • Forest and understory plantings

  • Pioneer plantings

  • Container friendly for shaded or semi-shaded spaces

🪴 Cultivation Notes

 

A hardy and versatile plant that establishes readily in most soils provided moisture is available. While tolerant of sun and wind, Kakaha performs best in sheltered positions with partial shade, where foliage remains lush and fruiting is reliable. Its strong form and seasonal berry display make it a standout in both ecological and ornamental plantings.

Approximate product size:

• PB3/4 (5cm – 20cm, 350ml)

• PB3 (20cm – 70cm, 1.5L)

Timeframe:

We ship Monday – Wednesday for South Island customers and Monday/Tuesday for Rural and North Island customers. Orders placed outside these days will be fulfilled the following week.

Local pick ups and/or deliveries will be made by arrangement.

“We’ll donate $1 per plant sold to national conservation efforts, helping to protect and restore New Zealand’s natural heritage”

Size:

Kakaha is the most common Astelia species in New Zealand, valued for its bold, architectural foliage and strong ecological role. With long sword-like leaves and bright orange berries, it is an excellent choice for forest understories, riparian margins, pioneer plantings, and containers.

🌱 Plant Facts

  • Growth habit: Robust, clump-forming perennial

  • Foliage: Long, sword-like green leaves; midribs often tinged red

  • Flowers: Central clumps of green to yellow flowers

  • Fruit: Bright orange berries, highly attractive to birds

  • Height: Up to 1.5 m

  • Flowering: October – November

  • Fruiting: December – March

🌍 Natural Habitat

  • Occupies a wide range of moist environments

  • Found on forest floors, cliffs, rock bluffs, lakeshore scarps, stream margins, and swamps

  • Performs best in sheltered, semi-shaded sites

🌿 Growing Environment

  • Sand tolerant

  • Sun tolerant (also performs well in shade)

  • Drought tolerant once established

  • Shade tolerant

  • Salt tolerant

  • Wetland tolerant

  • Wind tolerant

  • Coastal tolerant

  • Free-draining soil tolerant

 

An exceptionally adaptable species suitable for a wide range of planting situations.

📍 Endemic Distribution

  • Common throughout New Zealand, from sea level up to approximately 900 m elevation

🌾 Uses

  • Bird food and attractant

  • Riparian and wetland margins

  • Forest and understory plantings

  • Pioneer plantings

  • Container friendly for shaded or semi-shaded spaces

🪴 Cultivation Notes

 

A hardy and versatile plant that establishes readily in most soils provided moisture is available. While tolerant of sun and wind, Kakaha performs best in sheltered positions with partial shade, where foliage remains lush and fruiting is reliable. Its strong form and seasonal berry display make it a standout in both ecological and ornamental plantings.

Approximate product size:

• PB3/4 (5cm – 20cm, 350ml)

• PB3 (20cm – 70cm, 1.5L)

Timeframe:

We ship Monday – Wednesday for South Island customers and Monday/Tuesday for Rural and North Island customers. Orders placed outside these days will be fulfilled the following week.

Local pick ups and/or deliveries will be made by arrangement.

“We’ll donate $1 per plant sold to national conservation efforts, helping to protect and restore New Zealand’s natural heritage”