Plant in full coastal sun to light shade in a well-draining soil. Although this plant can take extended periods without irrigation, it looks better if given occasional water. Hardy to 20-25° F - our large specimen plant in the garden, which we only water monthly during the summer, was unharmed during the January 2007 freeze with three nights in a row at 25° F. A great plant for a container, a specimen or for a mass planting in the garden.

Astelia banksii comes from the lowland and coastal forests of the North Island of New Zealand where it can be found growing on the ground as an epiphyte up in the crouches of trees. There are 25 species of Astelia with 13 that are endemic to New Zealand - this coastal species in found on the North Island from the North Cape to Taranaki and Hawke's Bay. The name of the genus comes from combining the Greek words 'a' meaning "without" and 'stele' meaning a "trunk" or "pillar" in reference to these plants not forming a stem or trunk. The specific epithet authored by British botanist Allan Cunningham in 1837 honors British naturalist and botanist Sir Joseph Banks. The fruit of this plant is called Wharawhara in New Zealand and the town of Kaiwharawhara, a seaside suburb of Wellingoton (also known as Kaiwarra), takes its name from the abundance of this plant there. The Astelia have long been considered part of the Liliaceae family but most recent treatment puts them in the Asteliaceae family in the Asparagales order with the relatively unknown genera Collospermum, Milligania and Neoastelia.

We received our original stock of this plant from Graham Platt's Nursery north of Auckland, which we visited in 1994, and after dividing this plant for 6 years were first able to introduce it into the California nursery trade in 2000. Since that time this reliable plant has become more common in the trade and there are even compact selections that have been made. 

This information about Astelia banksii displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.