Kowhai Seeds | Pack of 20 | Sophora tetraptera & S. microphylla

Kowhai Seeds (Pack of 20) brings New Zealand's most beloved native tree into your garden — a spectacular golden-flowering taonga with deep cultural roots in Māori tradition and a vital role in supporting native birdlife.

⚠️ Important: All parts of the kowhai plant are toxic if ingested. Seeds, bark, leaves, and flowers must never be eaten or taken internally. For ornamental and external traditional use only. Keep away from children and animals.

Why

Few trees capture the spirit of Aotearoa like the kowhai. Each spring, its cascading golden blooms transform gardens and roadsides — and draw tūī, kererū, and bellbirds in droves. This pack contains seeds of both Sophora tetraptera (the larger-leafed, widely cultivated form) and S. microphylla (the smaller-leafed, wind-hardy west coast form), giving you two of New Zealand's most ornamentally and ecologically significant native trees in one pack. Long-lived, structurally beautiful year-round, and deeply meaningful in Māori culture, kowhai is a tree worth growing.

Key Benefits

• Spectacular golden-yellow flowers in late winter and spring
• Vital nectar source for tūī, kererū, and bellbirds
• Two species included: Sophora tetraptera and S. microphylla
• Long-lived, structurally beautiful native tree for NZ gardens
• Wind hardy and reasonably drought tolerant once established
• Deep cultural significance in Māori tradition and NZ identity

Formula Highlights

• Sophora tetraptera – the larger-leafed kowhai; widely cultivated, bold flowering, and well suited to sheltered garden settings
• Sophora microphylla – the smaller-leafed, more wind-hardy form; common on the west coast and in exposed sites
• Cytisine-containing alkaloids – present in all plant parts; responsible for the plant's toxicity and its historical use in Māori rongoā (external use only)
• Rich nectar production – flowers are a critical late-winter food source for native birds when few other plants are in bloom

Growing Guide

Pack contains 20 seeds. Scarify or soak before sowing to improve germination.

Suggested Use

For ornamental garden planting and ecological restoration. Sow seeds after scarification or hot water soaking. Grow in free-draining soil in a warm, sheltered position until established. For any traditional topical use of bark or leaf preparations, apply externally only — never ingest. Discard after use and avoid contact with eyes or broken skin.

Other Ingredients

100% pure kowhai seeds (Sophora tetraptera and Sophora microphylla). No additives, treatments, or coatings.

About Superfoods NZ

Superfoods NZ is a New Zealand-owned health and wellness store committed to bringing you the best of nature — from premium nutritional supplements to native botanical seeds with deep roots in Aotearoa's ecology and culture. We source with care, share knowledge generously, and believe that connection to the natural world is part of living well.

Warnings

⚠️ All parts of the kowhai plant — seeds, bark, leaves, and flowers — are toxic if ingested. Kowhai contains cytisine, a toxic alkaloid that can cause serious illness. Never eat any part of this plant or take any preparation internally. Keep seeds and all plant material out of reach of children and animals. For any traditional topical use, apply externally only and discard after use.