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The Daily Insight

Is Flax Lily invasive?

Author

Lily Fisher

Updated on February 27, 2026

Is Flax Lily invasive?

Flax lily plants are low-maintenance, reasonably fast-growing, disease- and pest-resistant, drought-tolerant once established and require no pruning. Homeowners should be aware of the aggressive alien invasive cerulean flax lily, Dianella ensifolia.

What is blue flax lily used for?

Dianella caerulea The traditional Aboriginal use of this species included eating the raw and ripe fruit between October and November, although only a few at a time. The roots were pounded, roasted on hot coals and also eaten. The fibrous leaves used to make waistbands, footwear, nets, traps and baskets.

Can Flax Lily take full sun?

While flax lilies are very tolerant of drought, for best results place in an area with even moisture. These plants are tolerant of varying amounts of light. In order to encourage the most vigorous growth, plant in full sun to part shade.

How far apart do you plant flax lily?

Plant spacing Plant 2 to 2-1/2 feet apart. Ditto for placing beside or in front of other plants. Come out from the house 1 to 2 feet, and in from walks and drives about 2 feet. These plants will do fine in a container.

Is flax lily cold hardy?

Cold Hardiness: Tasmanian Flax Lily is useful in USDA cold hardiness zones 9 (8) to 11, being ever- green in warmer climates and dying back to the ground in colder regions.

Can Flax Lily freeze?

Flax Lily is fairly cold hardy but recovers nicely if frost damaged. It is very drought tolerant once established as well as moderately salt tolerant.

Can you eat flax lily?

Dianella longifolia (Pale Flax Lily) Dark blue to purple berries are edible when ripe. Berries sweet and juicy (slightly gritty). Great addition to fruit salad.

Is flax lily poisonous?

Though some claim the fruit is edible and tastes somewhat like grapes, it is listed elsewhere as poisonous – the listing in Poisonous Plants of California by Thomas Fuller and Elizabeth McClintock (UC Press, 1986) notes ht there have been no reported poisonings involving Dianella in California but “in Australia and New …

Can Flax lily grow indoors?

It can be grown a a houseplant in lower zones or planted as an annual outdoors. Within its hardiness zones, this perennial is easy to grow because of its tolerances: It tolerates deer which tend not to eat it. It also tolerates drought.

How much sun do flax lilies need?

Growing Flax Lilies Flax lilies produce long, straplike foliage that gives the plant a grasslike appearance. These plants tend to grow in clumps that may reach a height of 3 feet or more, and they may spread as wide as 8 or 9 feet. Flax lily plants grow best in full sun but can also grow in partial shade.

What grows well with flax lilies?

Try using them with complementary plants like blue fescue, Lily Turf, Lomandra, and Mondo Grass. For a natural and simple look, use them planted amongst large landscape boulders. They also work harmoniously when used with a mixed planting of Fringe Flower, Nandinia, Sago Palms, Mirror Plant, and Agapanthus.

Can you eat flax lilies?

Dianella revoluta (Black Anther / Flax Lily) Dark blue to purple berries are edible when ripe. Berries sweet and juicy (slightly gritty). Great addition to fruit salad. Leaf base (white) also edible, starchy in taste.