Plant Details

Phormium tenax

New Zealand flax

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Phormium tenax.

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Common names

25 names · 19 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Lowland flax[1]
  • New Zealand flax[1]
  • Swamp flax[1]
Other languages (18)
Dutch
  • Nieuw-Zeelands Vlas[1]
  • Tenaxlelie[1]
French
  • Lin de Nouvelle-Zélande[1]
Afrikaans
  • Nieu-Seelandse vlas[1]
Catalan
  • Lli de Nova Zelanda[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
Czech
  • lenovník novozélandský[1]
Danish
Finnish
  • pellavatähkälilja[1]
German
  • Neuseelandflachs[1]
  • Neuseeländer Flachs[1]
Japanese
  • マオラン[1]
Maori
Moriori
Polish
  • tęgosz mocny[1]
Russian
  • Новозеландский лён[1]
  • Формиум прочный[1]
Slovak
  • ľanovník novozélandský[1]
Spanish
  • Lino de Nueva Zelanda[1]
Swedish
  • nyzeeländskt lin[1]
Turkish
  • Yeni Zelanda Keteni[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Phormium tenax — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • New Zealand flax — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Harakeke — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Lino de Nueva Zelanda — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Lowland flax — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Swamp flax — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Korari — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Harapepe — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • lenovník novozélandský — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • マオラン — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • nyzeeländskt lin — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Формиум прочный — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Новозеландский лён — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Nieu-Seelandse vlas — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • hørlilje — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Lin de Nouvelle-Zélande — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Neuseeländer Flachs — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Neuseelandflachs — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Nieuw-Zeelands vlas — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Tenaxlelie — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • pellavatähkälilja — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • tęgosz mocny — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Lli de Nova Zelanda — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • 麻兰 — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • ľanovník novozélandský — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.
  • Yeni Zelanda Keteni — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 51754; Phormium tenax.

General information

Scientific name: Phormium tenax
Accepted name (Kew): Phormium tenax J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Asphodelaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Phormium (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: New Zealand flax
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.3–2.44 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.3–1.52 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Evergreen
Growth habit: Erect

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Gum, Coffee, Nectar
Edibility rating:
(2)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
Adhesive, Alcohol, Basketry, Dye, Fibre, Gum, Paper, Carbon farming

Description

The roasted seed is used as a substitute for coffee. The flowers produce edible nectar, and edible gum is harvested from the underside of the leaves.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 30/11

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1166377; name ID 285633; Phormium J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1162025; name ID 284248; Phormium tenax J.R.Forst. & G.Forst..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Phormium tenax

    Taxonomic data from WCVP, version 16.0, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 920560, ID 4GRNB: Phormium tenax J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Phormium tenax — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .