Streams are the lifeblood of many landscapes, providing vital habitats for wildlife and contributing to the overall health of ecosystems. For landowners like farmers or those managing restoration projects, planting the right vegetation along streambanks is critical to stabilise soil, improve water quality, and enhance biodiversity.

The following guide will help you select the most suitable native plants for streamside restoration, ensuring both ecological and practical benefits.

Why Streamside Planting Matters

Streamside planting, often referred to as riparian planting, offers numerous advantages:

  1. Erosion Control: Plants stabilise streambanks, preventing soil loss during floods and heavy rain.
  2. Water Quality: Vegetation filters sediment, nutrients, and pollutants before they enter the stream, improving water clarity.
  3. Biodiversity: Streamside vegetation provides shelter, food, and breeding grounds for birds, insects, and aquatic life.
  4. Shade: Overhanging plants regulate stream temperature by providing shade, which is essential for the health of freshwater species.
  5. Aesthetic Value: A well-planted stream looks beautiful and creates a natural haven for both people and wildlife.

Choosing Plants for Different Zones

When planning your planting, think about the different zones of the stream:

  • Wet Zone: Directly next to or even partially submerged in the water.
  • Mid Zone: On the banks, where the soil stays damp but is rarely submerged.
  • Dry Zone: Higher up the bank, where the soil is drier and less affected by flooding.

Top Plants for Streamside Restoration

Wet Zone Plants

These plants thrive in waterlogged soils and play a crucial role in holding soil together and filtering water.

  1. Phormium tenax (Harakeke or Swamp Flax)

    • Description: Tall, sword-like leaves that grow in clumps. Produces striking red or yellow flowers on tall spikes.
    • Benefits: Deep roots stabilise banks, and it provides nectar for birds and insects.
    • Best Use: Ideal for planting right at the water’s edge or in seasonally flooded areas.
  2. Carex secta (Sedge)
    • Description: A tufted, grass-like plant with long, arching green leaves.
    • Benefits: Tolerates wet conditions, filters sediment, and creates habitats for frogs and insects.
    • Best Use: Plant in shallow water or damp areas close to the stream.
  3. Juncus edgariae (Wiwi)
    • Description: A native rush with spiky green foliage that forms dense clumps.
    • Benefits: Excellent for erosion control and water filtering.
    • Best Use: Suited to consistently wet soils and waterlogged zones.
  4. Eleocharis sphacelata (Spike Sedge)
    • Description: Tall, upright stems that can grow directly in water.
    • Benefits: Provides shelter for aquatic life and stabilises muddy streambeds.
    • Best Use: Plant in shallow water or along the water’s edge.

Mid Zone Plants

These plants thrive on the banks, where soil is damp but not consistently submerged.

  1. Cordyline australis (Cabbage Tree)
    • Description: Tall tree with a straight trunk and tufts of long, green, strap-like leaves.
    • Benefits: Provides shade, stabilises upper banks, and is drought-tolerant once established.
    • Best Use: Plant slightly away from the water in moist but well-drained soil.
  2. Astelia fragrans (Bush Lily)
    • Description: Broad, silvery-green leaves that grow in clumps.
    • Benefits: Adds structural variety, tolerates damp conditions, and supports native insects.
    • Best Use: Place in areas with partial shade and consistent moisture.
  3. Pittosporum tenuifolium (Kōhūhū)
    • Description: A small tree with delicate, shiny leaves and dark, twiggy branches.
    • Benefits: Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds, especially on upper banks.
    • Best Use: Grows best in moist soils with good drainage.
  4. Plagianthus regius
    • Description: A fast-growing native tree with delicate, small green leaves and a graceful, open canopy.
    • Benefits: Provides shade, improves biodiversity by offering habitat for birds and insects, and stabilises soil in moist areas.
    • Best Use: Plant in moist parts of the bank to enhance shade and support ecosystem health.
  5. Coprosma robusta (Karamū)
    • Description: A fast-growing shrub with glossy green leaves and bright orange berries.
    • Benefits: Provides food for native birds and stabilises soil on streambanks.
    • Best Use: Suitable for damp, well-drained areas slightly away from the water’s edge.

Dry Zone Plants

These plants are better suited to higher parts of the bank, where soils are drier and flooding is less frequent.

  1. Kunzea robusta (Kanuka)
    • Description: A hardy, fast-growing tree with small leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers.
    • Benefits: Excellent for erosion control and providing shade further up the bank.
    • Best Use: Plant on higher banks to stabilise the soil and reduce runoff.
  2. Hoheria angustifolia (Narrow-Leaved Lacebark)
    • Description: A small tree with lacy, green leaves and white, bell-shaped flowers.
    • Benefits: Stabilises soil and creates habitats for birds and insects.
    • Best Use: Suited to well-drained, drier areas of the bank.
  3. Griselinia littoralis (Broadleaf)
    • Description: A dense, glossy-leaved shrub that grows quickly.
    • Benefits: Provides excellent shelter and stabilisation on drier streambanks.
    • Best Use: Plant on the upper slopes of streambanks to protect against erosion.
  4. Sophora microphylla (Kōwhai)
    • Description: A small tree with delicate, feathery leaves and bright yellow flowers.
    • Benefits: Attracts native birds like tūī and kererū and tolerates drier soils.
    • Best Use: Plant further up the bank where it will thrive in well-drained conditions.

Planning Your Planting

  1. Assess Your Site: Identify wet, mid, and dry zones and choose plants that suit each area.
  2. Prepare the Soil: Remove weeds and ensure the soil is healthy and free of contaminants.
  3. Protect Young Plants: Use guards to protect plants from grazing animals and maintain them with regular weeding.
  4. Plan for the Long Term: Choose a mix of fast-growing plants for quick results and slower-growing species for long-term benefits.


For farmers, streamside planting can improve water quality downstream, reduce nutrient runoff, and create windbreaks. A well-planted stream can even enhance the value of your land by boosting its appearance and environmental health.

Streamside planting isn’t just about protecting water—it’s about building ecosystems that benefit people, wildlife, and the planet. By choosing the right native plants for each part of the stream, restoration project managers and landowners can create resilient, thriving environments that stand the test of time.