How to Grow and Care for Dracophyllum

The needle-leaf grass tree (Dracophyllum filifolium) is an evergreen plant with leaves that look like snakes. Dracophyllum from its Latin name literally translates to 'dragon-leaf,' hence the uncanny resemblance to the dragon tree found on the Canary Islands. It is typically found in grasslands, shrublands, and forests.

Trailing neinei ( Dracophyllum pronum) is a shrub with narrow leaves and small white flowers. It has a likeness to the famous dragon tree from the Canary Islands. The trailing neinei reaches a minimal vertical growth and is common in the mountains.

Mountain neinei is a unique plant found only in New Zealand's alpine regions. Its long, wiry leaves are perfect for weaving and were used by Maori people to make baskets and mats. It also produces nectar-rich flowers that attract native bees and birds.

Dracophyllum longifolium has thin branches that become marked with rings as old leaves die. The needle-like long leaves are 3 to 5 mm wide and up to 25 cm long with a pointed tip and are often softly coloured from green through to orange and brown.

Equipped with broad, lance-shaped leaves, spiderwood is a stunning evergreen endemic to alpine regions. Its hardy nature is exemplified by a bell-shaped silhouette with striking color gradients from green at the base to red toward the tip, adapting to harsh, windy environments. Clusters of tiny, white flowers bloom under the right seasonal conditions, attracting local pollinators and giving spiderwood its distinctive allure.