New Zealand Rock Lily

New Zealand Rock Lily (Arthropodium cirratum), also known as Renga Renga Lily, is an evergreen perennial that forms a lush clump of broad, soft, arching leaves 60 to 70cm high and about as wide. From late spring to early summer, tall airy sprays of white star flowers rise to about 90cm. It is one of the most dependable plants for shade, including the difficult dry shade under trees.

Why you'll love it

• Lush foliage all year. The broad, soft green leaves arch outwards in a full clump that looks good in every season.
• Airy white flowers. Each small white star has purple and yellow stamens, carried in open, branching sprays above the leaves.
• Solves dry shade. Once established it grows under trees where roots take most of the moisture.
• Coastal tolerant. In the wild it grows on coastal rocks and cliffs, so salt-laden air does not trouble it.
• Easy care. Apart from snail control and a tidy after flowering it looks after itself.

Where it works best

Mass planting under trees. Plant 50 to 60cm apart for a continuous evergreen cover that hides bare ground beneath established trees.

Shaded borders. Use it along the shaded side of a house or fence, where the white flowers stand out against dark surroundings.

Coastal gardens. It suits sheltered, shaded positions near the sea, in sandy soil.

Large pots. A single clump fills a wide container on a shaded patio.

Growing New Zealand Rock Lily in Australia

Position and climate. Shade and part shade, with morning sun at most in warm districts. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. It tolerates light frost only, so give it overhead cover from trees or eaves where frosts occur.

Soil. Free-draining soil is important. It grows in sandy, rocky and average garden soil, improved with a little compost, and does poorly in ground that stays wet over winter.

Water and feed. Water regularly through the first summer, then in extended dry periods. A feed with slow-release fertiliser in early spring supports the flowering.

Pruning. Remove the flower stems at the base once they finish, and pull off old or tattered leaves. Snails and slugs love this plant and can strip the leaves, so control them from planting day and check again after rain. Clumps can be divided in autumn.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell New Zealand Rock Lily in 140mm pots in packs of 10, 200mm pots in packs of 6, and 300mm pots, which are single plants. The packs are the economical choice for mass planting. Soft leaves can bend in transit and recover quickly. Plant into shade, water in well and protect from snails at once. Our growers do not hold every size all year, so a size can show as on backorder at times. An order for a backorder size is confirmed with you before anything ships.

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

• Grasses and strappy leaf plants
• Plants for partial shade
• The best ground cover plants for shade
• Plants for coastal areas

Common questions

How far apart should I plant them?

Space plants 50 to 60cm apart for mass planting. At that distance the clumps meet within a couple of seasons and shade out most weeds.

Does it grow in dry shade?

Yes, once established. Water it through its first summer so the roots get down, and after that it copes with the dry soil under trees better than most shade plants.

Is it frost hardy?

It takes light frost only. Hard frost turns the leaves to mush, though plants under a tree canopy or eaves are usually protected enough to come through.