Introduction
Overview
New Zealand native flowering plants display a remarkable diversity of forms, colours, and ecological strategies. From the iconic kōwhai (Sophora spp.) with its bright yellow blooms to the vibrant red flowers of the pōhutukawa ( Metrosideros excelsa ), these plants provide essential food for native birds and insects. Many species, such as Clianthus maximus (Kākābeak) and Veronica salicifolia (Koromiko) (Hebe salicifolia is a synonym of Veronica salicifolia), are popular in gardens for their ornamental value and ability to attract pollinators. Native flowering plants are crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting biodiversity.
About New Zealand's Native Flowers
New Zealand's native flowering plants offer unique colours and forms that have evolved in isolation. While often more subtle than exotic garden varieties, our native flowers have special adaptations to local conditions and provide essential food for native birds, bees, and other pollinators. Alpine specialists like NZ Plantain showcase remarkable evolutionary adaptations to high-altitude environments, while spectacular bloomers like Mountain Buttercup create brilliant golden carpets of colour across New Zealand's high country. Adding native flowering plants to your garden helps support local ecosystems.
Explore Our Native Flowering Plants
Pallavicinia Lyellii Native Plant
Pallavicinia lyellii
Pallavicinia Lyellii Native Plant ( Pallavicinia lyellii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Paratrophis Microphylla Native Plant
Paratrophis microphylla
Paratrophis Microphylla Native Plant ( Paratrophis microphylla ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Paratrophis Smithii Native Plant
Paratrophis smithii
Paratrophis Smithii Native Plant ( Paratrophis smithii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Parsonsia Capsularis Native Plant
Parsonsia capsularis
Parsonsia Capsularis Native Plant ( Parsonsia capsularis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Parsonsia Praeruptis Native Plant
Parsonsia praeruptis
Parsonsia Praeruptis Native Plant ( Parsonsia praeruptis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pectinopitys Ferruginea Native Plant
Pectinopitys ferruginea
Pectinopitys Ferruginea Native Plant ( Pectinopitys ferruginea ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pelargonium Inodorum Native Plant
Pelargonium inodorum
Pelargonium Inodorum Native Plant ( Pelargonium inodorum ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pentachondra Pumila Native Plant
Pentachondra pumila
Pentachondra Pumila Native Plant ( Pentachondra pumila ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Peperomia Tetraphylla Native Plant
Peperomia tetraphylla
Peperomia Tetraphylla Native Plant ( Peperomia tetraphylla ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Peperomia Urvilleana Native Plant
Peperomia urvilleana
Peperomia Urvilleana Native Plant ( Peperomia urvilleana ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Persicaria Prostrata Native Plant
Persicaria prostrata
Persicaria Prostrata Native Plant ( Persicaria prostrata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Phaeoceros Carolinianus Native Plant
Phaeoceros carolinianus
Phaeoceros Carolinianus Native Plant ( Phaeoceros carolinianus ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Phlegmariurus Phlegmaria Native Plant
Phlegmariurus phlegmaria
Phlegmariurus Phlegmaria Native Plant ( Phlegmariurus phlegmaria ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Phlegmariurus Varius Native Plant
Phlegmariurus varius
Phlegmariurus Varius Native Plant ( Phlegmariurus varius ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Phormium Colensoi Native Plant
Phormium colensoi
Phormium Colensoi Native Plant ( Phormium colensoi ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Phyllachne Colensoi Native Plant
Phyllachne colensoi
Phyllachne Colensoi Native Plant ( Phyllachne colensoi ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Phyllothallia Nivicola Native Plant
Phyllothallia nivicola
Phyllothallia Nivicola Native Plant ( Phyllothallia nivicola ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pimelea Actea Native Plant
Pimelea actea
Pimelea Actea Native Plant ( Pimelea actea ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pimelea Longifolia Native Plant
Pimelea longifolia
Pimelea Longifolia Native Plant ( Pimelea longifolia ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pimelea Lyallii Native Plant
Pimelea lyallii
Pimelea Lyallii Native Plant ( Pimelea lyallii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pimelea Oreophila Native Plant
Pimelea oreophila
Pimelea Oreophila Native Plant ( Pimelea oreophila ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pimelea Urvilleana Native Plant
Pimelea urvilleana
Pimelea Urvilleana Native Plant ( Pimelea urvilleana ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pimelea Urvilleana Subsp Urvilleana Native Plant
Pimelea urvilleana
Pimelea urvilleana subsp. urvilleana is a prostrate New Zealand shrub with stout flexible stems and branchlets densely matted in white hairs.
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Pimelea Villosa Native Plant
Pimelea villosa
Pimelea Villosa Native Plant ( Pimelea villosa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Piper Excelsum Subsp Psittacorum Native Plant
Piper excelsum
Kawakawa ( Piper excelsum ), also called New Zealand peppertree, is a small tree or densely branched shrub in the pepper family that grows up to about 6 metres tall.
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Pittosporum Kirkii Native Plant
Pittosporum kirkii
Pittosporum Kirkii Native Plant ( Pittosporum kirkii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Plagianthus Divaricatus Native Plant
Plagianthus divaricatus
Plagianthus Divaricatus Native Plant ( Plagianthus divaricatus ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Plagiochila Fasciculata Native Plant
Plagiochila fasciculata
Plagiochila Fasciculata Native Plant ( Plagiochila fasciculata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Plantago Brownii Native Plant
Plantago brownii
Plantago Brownii Native Plant ( Plantago brownii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Plantago Lanigera Native Plant
Plantago lanigera
Plantago Lanigera Native Plant ( Plantago lanigera ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Plantago Obconica Native Plant
Plantago obconica
Plantago Obconica Native Plant ( Plantago obconica ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Plantago Picta Native Plant
Plantago picta
Plantago Picta Native Plant ( Plantago picta ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Plantago Spathulata Native Plant
Plantago spathulata
Plantago Spathulata Native Plant ( Plantago spathulata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Plantago Triandra Native Plant
Plantago triandra
Plantago Triandra Native Plant ( Plantago triandra ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Plantago Udicola Native Plant
Plantago udicola
Plantago Udicola Native Plant ( Plantago udicola ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Plantago Unibracteata Native Plant
Plantago unibracteata
Plantago Unibracteata Native Plant ( Plantago unibracteata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pleurophyllum Hookeri Native Plant
Pleurophyllum hookeri
Pleurophyllum Hookeri Native Plant ( Pleurophyllum hookeri ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Podomitrium Phyllanthus Native Plant
Podomitrium phyllanthus
Podomitrium Phyllanthus Native Plant ( Podomitrium phyllanthus ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pomaderris Paniculosa Native Plant
Pomaderris paniculosa
Pomaderris Paniculosa Native Plant ( Pomaderris paniculosa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pomaderris Rugosa Native Plant
Pomaderris rugosa
Pomaderris Rugosa Native Plant ( Pomaderris rugosa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Potamogeton Ochreatus Native Plant
Potamogeton ochreatus
Potamogeton Ochreatus Native Plant ( Potamogeton ochreatus ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Prasiola Calophylla Native Plant
Prasiola calophylla
Prasiola Calophylla Native Plant ( Prasiola calophylla ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pseudolycopodium Densum Native Plant
Pseudolycopodium densum
Pseudolycopodium Densum Native Plant ( Pseudolycopodium densum ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pseudopanax Gilliesii Native Plant
Pseudopanax gilliesii
Pseudopanax Gilliesii Native Plant ( Pseudopanax gilliesii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pseudopanax Laetus Native Plant
Pseudopanax laetus
Pseudopanax Laetus Native Plant ( Pseudopanax laetus ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pteris Carsei Native Plant
Pteris carsei
Pteris Carsei Native Plant ( Pteris carsei ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pterocladia Lucida Native Plant
Pterocladia lucida
Pterocladia Lucida Native Plant ( Pterocladia lucida ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Pterostylis Foliata Native Plant
Pterostylis foliata
Pterostylis Foliata Native Plant ( Pterostylis foliata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn moreGrowing Native Flowers in Your Garden
Tips for Success with Native Flowers
Native flowering plants can add colour and interest to your garden while providing food for native birds and insects. Most prefer well-draining soil and a sunny position, though some forest species will appreciate partial shade. Consider the natural habitat of each species when planning your garden.