Green Mist™ New Zealand Flax

Green Mist New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax 'PHOS6') is a compact green flax bred by Ozbreed to cope with the humidity, heat and wet that defeat many flaxes. It stays at about 400mm high and 400mm wide, a tidy clump of clean green foliage that sets off bronze and silver plantings without outgrowing its bed. It is a green mutation of Sweet Mist and shares that plant's compact form.

Why you'll love it

• Tougher than the bronze flaxes. It was bred for better tolerance of heat, drought, humidity and wet conditions than bronze cultivars, and green leaf photosynthesises more efficiently, which supports healthier growth.
• Proven in hard trials. In western Sydney it came through repeated floods, 40 degree heat and prolonged humidity, conditions in which other phormium cultivars failed.
• Compact and tidy. At 400mm in both directions it fits borders and mixed beds where a full sized flax would take over.
• Green that contrasts. The clean green leaf is a fresh foil for bronze, burgundy and silver foliage in mixed plantings.
• A responsible choice. No seeding has been observed in over 20 years, so it poses minimal risk of escaping into bushland.

Where it works best

Mass and mixed planting. Plant 40cm apart, about six plants per square metre, and the clumps join as they mature. Closer planting also suppresses weeds, so a dense block needs little hand weeding once it fills.

Borders and structure. In a single row along a path or drive, plants 30cm apart form a continuous band of upright foliage that gives a bed its backbone.

Poolside and coastal gardens. Ozbreed lists both among its uses, and the plant performs in coastal and inland sites alike.

Banks and erosion control. Planted close on a slope, the dense clumps help hold the soil in place.

Growing Green Mist New Zealand Flax in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. Ozbreed recommends it for New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, and it has performed in Sydney, Melbourne and across New Zealand, including through frost in trials. It is not yet listed for Queensland, so treat it as untested in the subtropics and tropics.

Soil. It coped with flooding in trials, so it handles heavy or wet ground better than most flaxes, though well drained soil still gives the best growth. Mulch with a chunky mulch.

Water and feed. Water regularly while it settles in through its first summer. Once established it needs little attention beyond a deep soak in a long dry spell.

Pruning. Very little. Pull off browned leaves as they appear. If a clump tires, cut it back and feed it with a slow release fertiliser, and it rejuvenates.

What to expect when it arrives

We list Green Mist New Zealand Flax in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Stock comes from Ozbreed's licensed growers and is not always available, so a size shows as sold out when no grower has it. The notify button on this page emails you the day it is back. Flax leaves are tough and travel upright; expect a short pause after planting, then new growth as the weather warms.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More grasses and strappy leaf plants
• See the full Ozbreed range
• Plants that suit poolside gardens
• Plants for mass planting

Common questions

Will it grow in Queensland?

Ozbreed has not yet listed it for Queensland, so we cannot recommend it there. It is proven in Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand.

How is it different from Sweet Mist?

The compact form is the same. Green Mist has green leaf instead of bronze, and was bred to handle heat, humidity and wet better than the bronze cultivars.

Will it seed around the garden?

Ozbreed has seen no seeding in over 20 years, so it stays where you plant it.