Plant in part sun to light shade in a well-drained soil. Although this plant can take periods without water and is marketed as a drought tolerant plant in New Zealand, it looks better if given occasional to regular irrigation in our dry summers in California. Hardy to about 20-25 degrees F. This plant is listed as tolerating coastal conditions in New Zealand.

Astelia nervosa can be found growing naturally in the tussock grasslands and meadow conditions on low hills on both North Island and South Island of New Zealand. As with other Astelia this species is dioecious with the male and female flowers on separate plants. Neither are showy and are usually down in the foliage - we have yet to see this plant flower and can find no information on whether this selection is a male or female. There are 25 species of Astelia, 13 are endemic to New Zealand. The genus name 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 means "veined" in reference to the 1 or 2 prominent veins on either side of the midrib visible on the lower surface. 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.

This plant was introduced in the US in 2010 by Ball Ornamentals and we grew it from 2010 until 2013. 

This information about Astelia nervosa 'Westland' 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.