Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

dwarf red flax

Searching for dwarf red flax to bring vibrant colour, texture, and easy-care beauty to your garden? Dwarf red flax is a stunning, compact plant with rich burgundy-red foliage—perfect for adding contrast and structure to borders, pots, or native gardens. As a member of New Zealand’s iconic Phormium family, dwarf red flax gives a contemporary edge to landscaping while providing year-round interest and resilience to wind, coastal conditions, and drought. Whether you’re creating a modern outdoor space or embracing native plantings, dwarf red flax is a versatile choice for most gardens.

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.

Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking ornamental plant brings strong colour and structure to gardens year round. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a wide range of NZ conditions, from coastal to urban settings. With its dramatic foliage and easy care nature, Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a standout feature for both modern and traditional landscapes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian
leptospermum-red-damask--1

Leptospermum 'Red Damask'

Leptospermum 'Red Damask' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and fine dense foliage. Flowering through spring and summer, this hardy manuka variety creates a bold display of colour while providing year round structure and texture in NZ gardens. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for hedging, borders, feature planting, and coastal gardens. Leptospermum 'Red Damask' is easy to grow, low maintenance, and highly effective for adding vibrant colour and native character to outdoor spaces.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
Kniphofia Dwarf Scarlet plant with red flowers.

Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' (Hot Poker Plant)

Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' is a compact perennial known for its vibrant red flower spikes that rise above neat grassy foliage. This eye catching plant...

From$20.18
Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' green foliage.

Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its dense, upright growth and attractive grey-green foliage. A hardy New...

From$21.53
leptospermum-red-falls--3

Leptospermum Red Falls

Leptospermum Red Falls, also known as Leptospermum scoparium Red Falls, is a low-growing New Zealand native shrub celebrated for its vibrant red...

From$26.93
hebe-red-edge-

Hebe 'Red Edge'

Hebe 'Red Edge' is a compact evergreen shrub known for its distinctive foliage with red tinged edges that intensify in cooler weather, adding year...

From$20.18
Clivia miniata 'Red' plants with elegant, red flowers.

Clivia miniata 'Red' (Natal Lily)

Clivia miniata 'Red' is a striking evergreen perennial prized for its bold red trumpet shaped flowers that appear in late winter and spring. The...

From$16.13
Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.

Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a hardy, evergreen shrub prized in New Zealand gardens for its rich green foliage and striking clusters of deep red...

From$24.23
Escallonia 'Red Elf' red flowers and glossy, green foliage.

Escallonia 'Red Elf'

Escallonia 'Red Elf' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, green foliage and vibrant, red, bell-shaped flowers that bloom from late...

From$24.23
Carex flagellifera Red plants.

Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$13.43
grevillea-red-clusters-4

Grevillea 'Red Clusters'

Grevillea 'Red Clusters' is a vibrant evergreen shrub that produces masses of rich red flower clusters throughout the year. Its fine foliage and...

From$28.28
Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.

Buddleia 'Royal Red'

Buddleia ‘Royal Red’ is a bold deciduous shrub celebrated for its rich red crimson flower spikes and sweet summer fragrance. Flowering over an...

From$26.93
Acer Autumn Red tree.

Acer Autumn Red (Acer rubrum Autumn Red)

Acer platanoides Autumn Red is a variety of the commonly known Plane-Laved Maple, and is a medium sized, deciduous tree with fantastically coloured...

From$391.14
Lagerstroemia 'Best Red' red flowers amidst dark purple foliage.

Lagerstroemia 'Best Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Best Red’ is a standout crepe myrtle prized for its intense red summer flowers and strong upright tree form. Flowering through the...

From$358.98
magnolia-red-as-red-2

Magnolia Red As Red (Red As Red Magnolia)

Magnolia Red as Red bears masses of large and showy, dark red flowers through late winter and early spring. The flowers are borne on the naked stems...

From$432.79
acer-red-sunset-2

Acer Red Sunset

Acer rubrum Red Sunset is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that features fantastic autumn colours. The lush foliage emerges mid-green in spring...

From$382.61
pelargonium-two-in-one-dark-red-

Pelargonium Two in One Dark Red (Red Pelargonium)

Pelargonium Two In One Dark Red is a variety of Geranium grown for its clusters of dark red flowers. The showy flowers are borne through spring and...

From$21.53
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' showy red flowers.

Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Crimson Red’ is a striking crepe myrtle renowned for its deep crimson summer flowers and attractive upright tree form. Flowering...

From$29.63
rhododendron-red-mountain-

Rhododendron Vireya Red Mountain

Rhododendron Vireya ‘Red Mountain’ is a tropical shrub growing up to 1.5 metres tall with a compact, rounded growth habit. Known for its striking red...

From$28.28
A Loropetalum 'Red Temple' plant with dark purple-red foliage and elegant, pink flowers.

Loropetalum 'Red Temple'

Loropetalum 'Red Temple' produces mildly fragrant, pink-red flowers through winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage on this bushy...

From$28.28
A stunning Albizia julibrissin 'Red Silk' tree with masses of red flowers.

Albizia 'Red Silk'

Albizia 'Red Silk' is a variety of the commonly known Silk Tree, and is grown for its delicate foliage and showy flowers. The fern-like foliage is...

From$306.09
Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red' plant in a pot with stunning red flowers and lush, purple-green foliage.

Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red'

Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red' is a bold and dramatic deciduous shrub admired for its deep red mophead flowers set against dark stems and rich green foliage...

From$26.93
Hypoestes 'Splash Red' plant with colourful red folaige.

Hypoestes 'Splash Red'

Hypoestes 'Splash Red' is a vibrant foliage plant prized for its bright green leaves boldly splashed with deep red markings. This compact and...

From$25.58
pittosporum-small-ball-

Pittosporum Small Ball (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum Small Ball is a dwarf variety grown for its glossy, olive-green leaves which are held densely. This evergreen grows with a ball shape to...

From$25.58
azalea-red-wings-

Azalea 'Red Wings'

Azalea 'Red Wings' is a striking evergreen azalea admired for its vivid red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The vibrant blooms sit...

From$26.33
Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.

Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

From$25.58
Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.

Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun...

From$26.93
leucothoe-curly-red-2

Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red

Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red, commonly known as Dog Hobble, is a beautiful shrub which is grown of its colourful and curly foliage. New foliage is...

From$25.58
kniphofia-dwarf-orange-

Kniphofia Dwarf Orange (Torchlily)

Kniphofia Dwarf Orange is a variety of the commonly known, Red Hot Poker, and is grown for its colourful flowers. Stems rise above the foliage...

From$20.18
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.

Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

From$20.18
azalea-mrs-kint-red-

Azalea 'Mrs Kint Red'

Azalea 'Mrs Kint Red' is a vibrant evergreen azalea admired for its rich red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The bold blooms sit...

From$26.93
A Pittosporum 'Midget' plant in a garden.

Pittosporum 'Midget' (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum 'Midget' is a dwarf variety that features foliage made up of small, fresh green leaves. The foliage is complemented with small, purple...

From$40.43
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Albizia, Azalea, Buddleia, Carex, Clivia, Coprosma, Escallonia, Grevillea, Hebe, Hydrangea, Hypoestes, Kniphofia, Lagerstroemia, Leptospermum, Leucothoe, Loropetalum, Magnolia, Pelargonium, Phormium, Photinia, Pittosporum Rhododendron and Salvia, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Azaleas, Evergreen Shrubs, Vireya Rhododendon, Deciduous Trees Magnolia Trees and Maple Tree.

Search dwarf red flax

What Is Dwarf Red Flax?

Dwarf red flax refers to several compact varieties of Phormium, commonly called New Zealand flax. These smaller selections feature deep red or bronze foliage and maintain a tidy, clumping habit, typically growing to 50–80 cm tall. With their striking colour, dwarf red flax plants offer an eye-catching accent in containers, mixed borders, or around patios. Unlike larger flax varieties, dwarf forms are well-suited to smaller spaces and urban gardens, making them accessible for gardeners everywhere.

For one of the most popular options, consider Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax). This variety has lush, arching leaves and a petite size, making it ideal for compact planting schemes. Its durability and minimal care needs make it a beloved staple in both residential and commercial landscapes.

Uses for Dwarf Red Flax in New Zealand Gardens

Dwarf red flax is incredibly versatile, fitting beautifully into many garden styles:

Pair dwarf red flax with other compact natives like Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo), or mix it alongside perennials such as Kniphofia Dwarf Scarlet (Hot Poker Plant) for a bold blend of colour and texture. If you prefer additional flair, try combining it with Grevillea Red Clusters (Red Clusters Grevillea) or Clivia miniata 'Red' (Natal Lily) for a seamless fusion of native and exotic interest.

Growing and Caring for Dwarf Red Flax

Dwarf red flax is prized for its hardy nature. It tolerates a range of soils, provided they are well-drained, and thrives in full sun to light shade. Once established, it withstands dry periods and wind, requiring minimal maintenance. Simply remove dead leaves at the base as needed to keep your plant looking fresh and tidy.

For best colour, ensure your dwarf red flax enjoys plenty of sunlight. Feed annually with a low-nitrogen fertiliser to encourage vibrant foliage and robust growth. If planting in containers, refresh the potting mix every two years.

Why Choose Dwarf Red Flax?

Dwarf red flax is an easy-care, go-to plant for New Zealand gardens. Its compact habit, striking foliage, and robust adaptability make it a top pick for everyone from beginner gardeners to landscape designers. Need a low-maintenance, standout feature? Discover Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax) and enjoy year-round colour and contemporary style in your outdoor space.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Our most famous blooms include Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile) and Dianella 'Little Jess', but some of our best-kept secrets are Plum Billington, Pomegranate Eversweet, and Hydrangea paniculata Levana — underrated beauties ready to shine.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews