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
Kunzea Robusta Native Plant
Kunzea robusta
Kunzea Robusta Native Plant ( Kunzea robusta ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Kunzea Salterae Native Plant
Kunzea salterae
Kunzea Salterae Native Plant ( Kunzea salterae ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lagenophora Pinnatifida Native Plant
Lagenophora pinnatifida
Lagenophora Pinnatifida Native Plant ( Lagenophora pinnatifida ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lagenophora Pumila Native Plant
Lagenophora pumila
Lagenophora Pumila Native Plant ( Lagenophora pumila ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lagenophora Strangulata Native Plant
Lagenophora strangulata
Lagenophora Strangulata Native Plant ( Lagenophora strangulata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lateristachys Diffusa Native Plant
Lateristachys diffusa
Lateristachys Diffusa Native Plant ( Lateristachys diffusa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lateristachys Lateralis Native Plant
Lateristachys lateralis
Lateristachys Lateralis Native Plant ( Lateristachys lateralis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lecanora Kohu Native Plant
Lecanora kohu
Lecanora Kohu Native Plant ( Lecanora kohu ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lejeunea Hodgsoniana Native Plant
Lejeunea hodgsoniana
Lejeunea Hodgsoniana Native Plant ( Lejeunea hodgsoniana ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lepidium Hyssopifolium Native Plant
Lepidium hyssopifolium
Lepidium Hyssopifolium Native Plant ( Lepidium hyssopifolium ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lepidosperma Filiforme Native Plant
Lepidosperma filiforme
Lepidosperma Filiforme Native Plant ( Lepidosperma filiforme ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lepidosperma Laterale Native Plant
Lepidosperma laterale
Lepidosperma Laterale Native Plant ( Lepidosperma laterale ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lepidozia Ulothrix Native Plant
Lepidozia ulothrix
Lepidozia Ulothrix Native Plant ( Lepidozia ulothrix ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Leptinella Dioica Native Plant
Leptinella dioica
Leptinella Dioica Native Plant ( Leptinella dioica ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Leptinella Filiformis Native Plant
Leptinella filiformis
Leptinella Filiformis Native Plant ( Leptinella filiformis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Leptinella Nana Native Plant
Leptinella nana
Leptinella Nana Native Plant ( Leptinella nana ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Leptinella Pyrethrifolia Native Plant
Leptinella pyrethrifolia
Leptinella Pyrethrifolia Native Plant ( Leptinella pyrethrifolia ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Leptostomum Inclinans Native Plant
Leptostomum inclinans
Leptostomum Inclinans Native Plant ( Leptostomum inclinans ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Leucogenes Grandiceps Native Plant
Leucogenes grandiceps
Leucogenes Grandiceps Native Plant ( Leucogenes grandiceps ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Libertia Cranwelliae Native Plant
Libertia cranwelliae
Libertia Cranwelliae Native Plant ( Libertia cranwelliae ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Libertia Edgariae Native Plant
Libertia edgariae
Libertia Edgariae Native Plant ( Libertia edgariae ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Libertia Flaccidifolia Native Plant
Libertia flaccidifolia
Libertia Flaccidifolia Native Plant ( Libertia flaccidifolia ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Libertia Mooreae Native Plant
Libertia mooreae
Libertia Mooreae Native Plant ( Libertia mooreae ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Libertia Pulchella Native Plant
Libertia pulchella
Libertia Pulchella Native Plant ( Libertia pulchella ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Ligustrum Vulgare Native Plant
Ligustrum vulgare
Ligustrum Vulgare Native Plant ( Ligustrum vulgare ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lilaeopsis Novae Zelandiae Native Plant
Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae
Lilaeopsis Novae Zelandiae Native Plant ( Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lindbergia Maritima Native Plant
Lindbergia maritima
Lindbergia Maritima Native Plant ( Lindbergia maritima ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Linum Monogynum Native Plant
Linum monogynum
Linum Monogynum Native Plant ( Linum monogynum ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Liparophyllum Gunnii Native Plant
Liparophyllum gunnii
Liparophyllum Gunnii Native Plant ( Liparophyllum gunnii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lithothelium Kiritea Native Plant
Lithothelium kiritea
Lithothelium Kiritea Native Plant ( Lithothelium kiritea ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Litsea Calicaris Native Plant
Litsea calicaris
Litsea Calicaris Native Plant ( Litsea calicaris ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lobelia Fatiscens Native Plant
Lobelia fatiscens
Lobelia Fatiscens Native Plant ( Lobelia fatiscens ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lobelia Macrodon Native Plant
Lobelia macrodon
Lobelia Macrodon Native Plant ( Lobelia macrodon ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lomaria Discolor Native Plant
Lomaria discolor
Lomaria Discolor Native Plant ( Lomaria discolor ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Lophocolea Mediinfrons Native Plant
Lophocolea mediinfrons
Lophocolea Mediinfrons Native Plant ( Lophocolea mediinfrons ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Luzula Traversii Native Plant
Luzula traversii
Luzula Traversii Native Plant ( Luzula traversii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Macrolearia Lyallii Native Plant
Macrolearia lyallii
Macrolearia Lyallii Native Plant ( Macrolearia lyallii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Macrolearia Oporina Native Plant
Macrolearia oporina
Macrolearia Oporina Native Plant ( Macrolearia oporina ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Megalaria Crispisulcans Native Plant
Megalaria crispisulcans
Megalaria Crispisulcans Native Plant ( Megalaria crispisulcans ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Melicytus Flexuosus Native Plant
Melicytus flexuosus
Melicytus Flexuosus Native Plant ( Melicytus flexuosus ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Melicytus Orarius Native Plant
Melicytus orarius
Melicytus Orarius Native Plant ( Melicytus orarius ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Metrosideros Colensoi Native Plant
Metrosideros colensoi
Metrosideros Colensoi Native Plant ( Metrosideros colensoi ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Microseris Scapigera Native Plant
Microseris scapigera
Microseris Scapigera Native Plant ( Microseris scapigera ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Monoclea Forsteri Native Plant
Monoclea forsteri
Monoclea Forsteri Native Plant ( Monoclea forsteri ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Montia Calycina Native Plant
Montia calycina
Montia Calycina Native Plant ( Montia calycina ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Muehlenbeckia Australis Native Plant
Muehlenbeckia australis
Muehlenbeckia Australis Native Plant ( Muehlenbeckia australis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Myosotis Albosericea Native Plant
Myosotis albosericea
Myosotis Albosericea Native Plant ( Myosotis albosericea ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn more
Myosotis Amabilis Native Plant
Myosotis amabilis
Myosotis Amabilis Native Plant ( Myosotis amabilis ) 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.