Planting on cliffs, steep banks and hillsides is one of the most demanding tasks in landscape design and land restoration. These environments are naturally prone to erosion, wind exposure, rapid drainage, and soil instability. Without careful planning, plantings can fail, resulting in soil loss, weed invasion and ongoing maintenance issues.
Native New Zealand plants offer a proven solution. Evolved in rugged landscapes, they are uniquely adapted to steep terrain, harsh weather and low-nutrient soils. When used correctly, native planting can stabilise slopes, protect waterways, enhance biodiversity and create landscapes that strengthen over time rather than degrade.
Slopes behave very differently from flat land. Water moves quickly downhill, often stripping soil and nutrients. Upper slopes dry out faster, while lower areas may remain damp. Wind exposure increases with elevation, and access for maintenance is often limited.
Successful slope planting relies on:
Selecting plants adapted to drainage extremes
Using species with appropriate root systems
Establishing vegetation quickly to prevent erosion
Designing planting layouts that work with gravity, not against it
Native plants have evolved alongside New Zealand’s geology and climate. Many naturally grow on hillsides, riverbanks and coastal cliffs, making them ideal for challenging sites.
Key benefits include:
Deep or fibrous root systems that stabilise soil
High tolerance to wind, drought and poor soils
Reduced need for fertiliser or irrigation
Support for native birds and insects
A classic NZ native tree with a deep, anchoring root system. Cordyline australis tolerates wind, drought, and poor soils, making it ideal for upper slopes and ridgelines. Its strong trunk and extensive roots help stabilise surrounding soil while providing height and structure.
Best position: Upper slopes, ridges, large banks
Strengths: Deep roots, wind tolerance, low maintenance
Kānuka is a hardy, fast-establishing native tree or shrub. It thrives in exposed, free-draining soils and improves soil structure over time. Its fine root system spreads widely, making it effective for erosion control on hillsides.
Best position: Exposed hills and large banks
Strengths: Soil improvement, tough, excellent nurse plant
A dense, bushy shrub that naturally grows on slopes and coastal hills. Olearia paniculata develops a strong woody root system and provides excellent wind protection for other plants.
Best position: Mid-slopes, coastal banks
Strengths: Wind hardy, dense growth, stabilising roots
Mountain flax naturally grows on steep terrain. Its fibrous roots bind soil effectively, especially on slopes with free-draining soils. The arching foliage also slows surface water flow.
Best position: Steep banks, gullies
Strengths: Erosion control, fast establishment
This native sedge thrives in shaded or semi-moist slopes. It forms dense clumps with fibrous roots that hold soil together, particularly useful in transitional areas between wet and dry zones.
Best position: Lower slopes, damp banks
Strengths: Soil binding, adaptable, low maintenance
Plant across the slope to reduce runoff
Use dense initial spacing for faster soil coverage
Limit mulch thickness to prevent slippage
Water deeply during establishment only
Planting native New Zealand species on cliffs, banks and hillsides is not just about appearance — it is about working with natural systems. By selecting plants adapted to slope conditions and focusing on soil stability, landowners and designers can create landscapes that are resilient, low-maintenance and ecologically valuable for decades to come.
