One of New Zealand’s most iconic and versatile native plants, Harakeke forms impressive clumps of broad green leaves and tall flower stems carrying nectar-rich red flowers. Exceptionally hardy and vigorous, it is an outstanding choice for wetlands, riparian restoration, erosion control, shelter planting, and native gardens, while providing valuable food and habitat for native wildlife.
🌱 Plant Facts
• Growth habit: Large, robust clump-forming flax
• Foliage: Broad, tough, upright green leaves
• Flowers: Tall flower stems bearing red to reddish-pink flowers, occasionally with yellow tones
• Nectar: An important food source for tūī and other nectar-feeding wildlife
• Fruit: Upright seed capsules containing numerous dark seeds
• Height: Up to 3.5 m
🌍 Natural Habitat
• Coastal and lowland environments
• Wetlands and swamp margins
• River and stream margins
• Open ground and riparian habitats
• Extends into montane environments
🌿 Growing Environment
• Full sun to partial shade
• Frost tolerant
• Wetland tolerant
• Wind tolerant
• Coastal tolerant
• Salt tolerant
• Adaptable to both wet and free-draining soils
An exceptionally adaptable native that thrives across a wide range of conditions. Particularly valuable in wet, exposed, and coastal environments where its extensive root system helps bind and stabilise soil.
📍 Distribution
• Indigenous to New Zealand and Norfolk Island
• Widespread throughout mainland New Zealand
• Distinctive geographical forms occur in several areas, including the Three Kings Islands, outer Hauraki Gulf islands, Chatham Islands and Kaikōura coast
🌾 Uses
• Native bird food and attractant
• Bee food
• Riparian plantings
• Wetland restoration
• Erosion control
• Low shelter and screening
• Revegetation and pioneer plantings
• Traditional weaving and fibre
🪴 Cultivation Notes (Live Plant)
One of the easiest and most reliable New Zealand natives to establish. Harakeke is vigorous, hardy, and tolerant of everything from permanently moist ground to exposed coastal sites. Its dense root system makes it particularly valuable for stabilising stream banks and erosion-prone areas. Allow adequate space for the mature clump to develop. The flowers provide an excellent nectar source for native birds and pollinators, making Harakeke an important addition to biodiversity and restoration plantings.
📏 Approximate product size:
• PB3/4 (5–20 cm, 350 ml)
• PB3 (20–70 cm, 1.5 L
• PB8 (50 cm+, 3.5 L)
• PB18 (1 m+, 8.5 L)
• PB40 (2 m+, 18.5 L)
⏱️ 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.
One of New Zealand’s most iconic and versatile native plants, Harakeke forms impressive clumps of broad green leaves and tall flower stems carrying nectar-rich red flowers. Exceptionally hardy and vigorous, it is an outstanding choice for wetlands, riparian restoration, erosion control, shelter planting, and native gardens, while providing valuable food and habitat for native wildlife.
🌱 Plant Facts
• Growth habit: Large, robust clump-forming flax
• Foliage: Broad, tough, upright green leaves
• Flowers: Tall flower stems bearing red to reddish-pink flowers, occasionally with yellow tones
• Nectar: An important food source for tūī and other nectar-feeding wildlife
• Fruit: Upright seed capsules containing numerous dark seeds
• Height: Up to 3.5 m
🌍 Natural Habitat
• Coastal and lowland environments
• Wetlands and swamp margins
• River and stream margins
• Open ground and riparian habitats
• Extends into montane environments
🌿 Growing Environment
• Full sun to partial shade
• Frost tolerant
• Wetland tolerant
• Wind tolerant
• Coastal tolerant
• Salt tolerant
• Adaptable to both wet and free-draining soils
An exceptionally adaptable native that thrives across a wide range of conditions. Particularly valuable in wet, exposed, and coastal environments where its extensive root system helps bind and stabilise soil.
📍 Distribution
• Indigenous to New Zealand and Norfolk Island
• Widespread throughout mainland New Zealand
• Distinctive geographical forms occur in several areas, including the Three Kings Islands, outer Hauraki Gulf islands, Chatham Islands and Kaikōura coast
🌾 Uses
• Native bird food and attractant
• Bee food
• Riparian plantings
• Wetland restoration
• Erosion control
• Low shelter and screening
• Revegetation and pioneer plantings
• Traditional weaving and fibre
🪴 Cultivation Notes (Live Plant)
One of the easiest and most reliable New Zealand natives to establish. Harakeke is vigorous, hardy, and tolerant of everything from permanently moist ground to exposed coastal sites. Its dense root system makes it particularly valuable for stabilising stream banks and erosion-prone areas. Allow adequate space for the mature clump to develop. The flowers provide an excellent nectar source for native birds and pollinators, making Harakeke an important addition to biodiversity and restoration plantings.
📏 Approximate product size:
• PB3/4 (5–20 cm, 350 ml)
• PB3 (20–70 cm, 1.5 L
• PB8 (50 cm+, 3.5 L)
• PB18 (1 m+, 8.5 L)
• PB40 (2 m+, 18.5 L)
⏱️ 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.
