New Zealand's native grasses and grass-like plants include a diverse range of species from towering toetoe to compact sedges. These versatile plants add texture, movement, and year-round interest to gardens while providing important ecological functions. Many are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established, making them excellent choices for sustainable landscaping.
About New Zealand Native Grasses
New Zealand native grasses are key components of natural and restored ecosystems, providing food and shelter for wildlife, stabilizing soil, and withstanding harsh conditions. Iconic species include Chionochloa rubra (Red Tussock), Austroderia toetoe (Toetoe), and Ficinia spiralis (Pīngao). These grasses are adapted to a range of environments, from alpine meadows to coastal dunes. They are valued in landscaping for their movement, texture, and ability to thrive with minimal maintenance, supporting biodiversity and erosion control.
Toetoe
Austroderia toetoe
Iconic native grass known for its tall, graceful plumes that catch the light and create movement in the landscape.
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Kōwhangatara
Spinifex sericeus
is a sand-binding grass vital for stabilizing coastal dunes and protecting shorelines.
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Pūrei
Carex secta
Pūrei is a tall, clumping sedge found in wetlands, valued for its use in weaving and its role in stabilizing soil. It is an important species for wetland restoration and erosion control.
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Wharariki
Phormium cookianum
A smaller, more graceful flax with arching leaves and distinctive seedpods.
Harakeke
Phormium tenax
New Zealand's iconic flax, traditionally used for weaving and fiber, with striking architectural form.
Raupō
Typha orientalis
A tall wetland plant with distinctive brown cylindrical flower spikes and many traditional uses.
Broad-Leaved Snow Tussock
Chionochloa flavicans
Broad-leaved Snow Tussock is a graceful tussock grass with soft, drooping flower heads, ideal for naturalistic plantings.
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Golden Speargrass
Aciphylla aurea
Golden speargrass is a spiky, tussock-forming plant with striking yellow flower heads, adapted to alpine and subalpine environments.
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Pūriri
Vitex lucens
Large native tree with glossy leaves and pink flowers, valued for its timber and as a food source for native birds.
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Red Tussock
Chionochloa rubra
A striking reddish tussock grass found in New Zealand's alpine and subalpine regions, valued for its color and movement in the landscape.
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