Blue flax lily (paroo lily) Dianella caerulea
Blue flax lily (paroo lily) (Dianella caerulea) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Asphodelaceae family, native to Eastern Australia, from Queensland to Tasmania. It grows 40–90 cm (16–35 in) tall and 40–80 cm (16–31 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Blue flax lily (paroo lily) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Blue flax lily (paroo lily) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asphodelaceae |
| Mature height | 40–90 cm (16–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–104 weeks after planting, for 6–10 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern Australia, from Queensland to Tasmania |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Blue flax lily (paroo lily) toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: berries
Some Dianella berries are eaten as bush food, but the edibility of different species and forms is uncertain: do not eat them unless you are sure.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Blue flax lily (paroo lily)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Blue flax lily (paroo lily)
- How far apart should I plant Blue flax lily (paroo lily)?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–80 cm (16–31 in).
- Does Blue flax lily (paroo lily) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Blue flax lily (paroo lily) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Blue flax lily (paroo lily)?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Blue flax lily (paroo lily) flower?
- About 52–104 weeks after planting, for 6–10 weeks.
- Is Blue flax lily (paroo lily) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Some Dianella berries are eaten as bush food, but the edibility of different species and forms is uncertain: do not eat them unless you are sure.
- What grows well with Blue flax lily (paroo lily)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Blue flax lily (paroo lily). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantNET: the NSW Flora Online, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
Notes and assumptions
- A tufting, strappy plant with sprays of small blue stars with yellow stamens in spring, then glossy violet-blue berries. One of the toughest plants for mass planting in Australian streets and car parks (‘Little Jess’, ‘Cassa Blue’).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Daylily Hemerocallis fulva
- Red hot poker Kniphofia uvaria
- Aloe vera Aloe vera
- New Zealand flax Phormium tenax
- Quiver tree (kokerboom) Aloidendron dichotomum
- Bitter aloe (Cape aloe) Aloe ferox
- Grass tree (balga) Xanthorrhoea preissii
- Krantz aloe (candelabra aloe) Aloe arborescens