Arthropodium cirratum

Common Name: New Zealand Rock Lily

Description:
Arthropodium cirratum is a hardy, evergreen, clump-forming herbaceous perennial native to New Zealand. It boasts lush, arching, strap-like foliage 30–60 cm long that brings structure and appeal throughout the year. In late spring to mid-summer, tall flower stems up to about 1 m emerge, bearing airy clusters of star-shaped white blooms adorned with yellow-tinged stamens, which lightly attract bees and butterflies. Tolerant of dry shade and a wide range of soil types—even clay or coastal environments—this low-maintenance plant shines in mass plantings, border edging, rockeries, or beneath trees where other plants struggle. It also has traditional value, with edible rhizomes once used by Māori.

Form:

• Ground Cover

• Shrub – Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

• Herbaceous Perennial

Mature Size:

• Height: typically 60–100 cm (flower stems up to 1 m)

• Width: 60–100 cm

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

• Full Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring

• Flowers in Summer

Flower Colour:

• White

Key Attributes:

• Evergreen foliage

• Suitable for Pots

• Perennial

• Drought tolerant once established

• Shade-loving and tolerant of dry shade

• Coastal tolerant

• Low maintenance

• Mass planting or groundcover use

• Bee attracting

• Sometimes prone to snail and slug damage

• May require frost protection in colder microclimates

Toxicity:

• Not known to be toxic to humans or pets

Companion Plants:

• Hellebores

• Clivias

• Ferns

• Ceratostigma

• Liriope

• Under-tree groundcovers and shade gardeners’ favourites