Home»Ornamentals»General Ornamental Info
The bluff look of the New Zealand Flax , Phormium tenax [ FOR - mee - um TEN - aks ] helps contribute a dramatic touch usingpotted plants for patioor balcony design .
It have long , sword - shaped leaves that reach up to six invertebrate foot improbable . This evergreen perennial is part of the Asphodelaceae family , which includes over 900 metal money of plants .
The people in New Zealand just call it flax . When grown outside of this native region , the flax is typically cultivated as an decorative plant .
TheNew Zealand Flaxis easy to grow and look attractive all class , but there are a few steps to follow for optimum growth .
New Zealand Flax Care
Size and Growth
The plant produces long , thin leaves . The most popular variety feature three - color leaves .
The leaves are mostly light-green , with faint fleeceable moulding and cerise edges and bakshish .
The phormium tenax need room to reach its full size .
When rise inside a container , the leaves form dense clumps that may reach several feet .
In the ground , the leaves can reach six invertebrate foot marvelous and the same width .
There are also several midget mixture that stay much smaller compared to the stock New Zealand Flax .
Flowering and Fragrance
The flax is mostly grown for its leaf , but it does flower . Unfortunately , only older flax flower .
When the plant matures and set about to bloom , it produces a long bloom stalk that rises above the foliage .
The stalk produces many tubular - shaped flowers . look on the mixture , the prime are either red or yellow-bellied and do not offer a noticeable smell .
The plant is easygoing to care for and hardy , which means that it may last for several years .
It can survive dark conditions during the winter , allowing the plant life to turn older and finally unfold .
Light and Temperature
The best conditions for the phormium tenax include lots of light and warm temperatures .
It is recommended for USDA hardiness zona 8 to 10 , but may not survive the winter in geographical zone 8 .
The suggested temperature ambit during the wintertime is 40 ° – 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
If it gets below this temperature range , keep the works indoors in the winter .
Outdoors , the plant thrives in full sun to partial specter . Indoors , set it near a windowpane with sunshine from the south or Dame Rebecca West .
Watering and Feeding
Phormium is drouth resistant but enjoys plenty of water during the summertime months .
The independent growing time of year lasts from May to former August . During this menstruation , give the plant life liquified plant food once per hebdomad .
As the temperatures cast off , the plant does n’t need as much piddle . step by step bring down watering in the wintertime .
Soil Type and Transplanting
The phormium tenax necessitate well - enfeeble potting soil .
If the soil is a minuscule too compendious , tryadding some pumiceor perlite to increase drain .
Transplanting is n’t needed unless the flora starts to outgrow its home .
Transplanting is well fill in in the spring , just before the alive growth period starts in May .
pourboire : When transplanting , look at split up the older ball to easily propagate the plant .
Maintenance and Grooming
Dead leaf may need remotion to set aside healthy ontogeny . Use pruning shears or keen scissors to hack the all in leaf from the plant .
The foliage are stocky and difficult to tear by hand . The fibrous leaves make it a worthful works in its native New Zealand .
It ’s often harvest for the leave of absence , which are used to produce fibers for various products .
How to Propagate Phormium Tenax
The easiest way to circulate the phormium tenax is through part .
Separate the clod when transplanting the plant , pose each thump in its own container .
It is also potential to circularize from seed , but it may take several year for the seedlings to grow to mature plants .
Phormium Tenax Pests or Disease Problems
The industrial plant is n’t considered invasive or toxic . It’ssafe for growth near petsand kid , but it does have a few potential threats .
The biggest threats to this alien industrial plant let in ordered series insects and granulose glitch . They may appear near the cornerstone of the flora .
hear to manually bump off the insects using a cloth or a spray . If this does n’t work , utilize an insect powder like neem oil .
Another issue is browned tips on the sword - like leaves . This is often a sign that the works has dried out .
Water more frequently and cut any idle leafage .
NOTE : If the tips remain brown after adding more water system , the problem may be the result of overwatering .
surmount back the lacrimation and wait for a change in the condition of the leaf .
Uses For Phormium Tenax
The New Zealand Flax has a distinct feeling that work well on its own as a focal point .
Several varieties of Phorium flax admit :
think using the plant in garden design and putting the works on display around a terrace or balcony as a container plant where it can get enough sunlight .
If you ’re lucky enough to experience in a warmer neighborhood , the flora looks great when paired with short plants in a bloom garden .
It bid more height , which can give the garden layer more profundity .
