We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Reptiles

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Phormium?

Marjorie McAtee
By
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 7,186
Share

Phormium, or New Zealand flax, is a plant traditionally used by the New Zealand Maori to weave baskets, ropes, and fabrics. Today, phorium is widely grown as a popular garden plant and sometimes cultivated in a container. Its large, colorful leaves make it a pleasing ornamental in many gardens. These plants are large and fairly hardy. Though phormium plants produce blooms, they are most often prized for their brightly-colored foliage.

New Zealand flax, once established, is a hardy plant, resistant to low temperatures and strong winds. These plants typically reach heights of 2 to 5 feet (0.6 to 1.5 meters), though they can grow as tall as 10 feet (3.04 meters) if cultivated in near-perfect conditions. They generally prefer full sun to partial shade, and can grow at temperatures ranging from 10 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (-12.2 to 4.4 Celsius).

Phormiums typically bloom in mid-summer, however, they are not usually prized for their flowers. Instead, they are commonly grown for their brightly colored foliage. Phormiums in shades of pink, red, bronze, and yellow are available.

Phormium is must usually be replanted each spring, except in the very mildest of climates where frost does not occur. These plants can be grown in containers and brought indoors during the winter, or they can be re-propagated in outdoor gardens in the spring. They thrive best in rich, moist soil and gardeners are advised to provide indoor plants with cooler temperatures during winter. Phoriums typically need plenty of sunlight and should not be exposed to frost.

These ornamental plants can be propagated from rhizome or from seed. Phormium seeds typically require a minimum temperature of at least 60 degress Fahrenheit (15.5 Celsius) to sprout. Gardeners should start new phormium plants inside, moving them to outdoor gardens once they have become established. Young, unestablished plants are more vulnerable to rapid changes in temperature and environmental hazards, including high winds. Though even established, adult plants should be sheltered from the cold and wind, they are generally hardy enough to withstand a certain amount of cold and wind once established.

The New Zealand flax is especially vulnerable to mealy bugs. Mealy bug infestations in phormiums are difficult to manage. Some gardeners advise discarding plants infested with these pests.

Share
All Things Nature is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Marjorie McAtee
By Marjorie McAtee
Marjorie McAtee, a talented writer and editor with over 15 years of experience, brings her diverse background and education to everything she writes. With degrees in relevant fields, she crafts compelling content that informs, engages, and inspires readers across various platforms. Her ability to understand and connect with audiences makes her a skilled member of any content creation team.
Discussion Comments
Marjorie McAtee
Marjorie McAtee
Marjorie McAtee, a talented writer and editor with over 15 years of experience, brings her diverse background and education to everything she writes. With degrees in relevant fields, she crafts compelling content that informs, engages, and inspires readers across various platforms. Her ability to understand and connect with audiences makes her a skilled member of any content creation team.
Share
https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-is-phormium.htm
Copy this link
All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.