phormium rainbow

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

Phormium rainbow is a striking group of New Zealand flax plants highly favoured by gardeners for their vibrant, rainbow-coloured foliage. The phormium rainbow series brings instant colour and drama to any landscape, offering year-round interest and minimal maintenance. Whether you’re looking to enrich your coastal garden, create architectural borders, or add statement container plants to your patio, phormium rainbow varieties provide endless versatility. Their elegant, fan-like leaves come in spectacular blends of red, pink, orange, gold, green, cream, and purple, making them perfect for bold accents or mass plantings.

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.

Buy Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

From $117.09

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

Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

Phormium Stripy Mist is a popular NZ native dwarf flax that features striking green leaves with a chocolate brown centre. It grows as a very tidy clump to about 40 cm tall and the same wide. Phormium Stripy Mist is commonly added to mixed and border plantings, included in coastal gardens, planted around outdoor living areas, or maintained in a container.

Buy Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

From $20.93

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Flaxes

Height: 40 cm

Spread: 40 cm

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Native

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Coprosma Euphorbia and Phormium, or related Categories - Flaxes Perennials and Evergreen Shrubs.

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What is Phormium Rainbow?

Phormium, commonly known as New Zealand flax, is renowned for its durability, easy care, and ornamental appeal. The phormium rainbow collection refers to a range of cultivars with dramatic, multicoloured foliage. These plants are bred to thrive in New Zealand conditions, tolerating wind, salt, and dry spells. Phormium rainbow varieties typically grow between 60 cm and 1.2 m tall, forming clumps with striking upright or arching leaves. They are evergreen, ensuring colour even through the cold months, and in summer may display spikes of tubular flowers that attract nectar-loving birds.

Best Uses for Phormium Rainbow

The versatility of phormium rainbow makes it ideal for a wide range of garden styles and situations. Use them as structural focal points in mixed borders, plant in swathes for modern landscapes, or highlight them in pots for courtyards and balconies. Their toughness makes them a smart choice for coastal gardens or exposed positions, and their bold hues complement native and contemporary planting schemes alike. Low water needs and minimal maintenance requirements also make these flaxes perfect for low-effort gardens.

Popular Cultivars in the Phormium Rainbow Series

Garden centres and nurseries offer a dazzling array of phormium rainbow options. Some favourites from the rainbow series include:

Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden' – Loved for its narrow leaves striped with pink, green, cream and bronze, this compact form is perfect for borders or small spaces.
Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' – A larger variety, with broad arching leaves displaying stunning pink and apricot stripes.
Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' – This cultivar features vivid maroon and green tones, creating an exotic, eye-catching effect.
Phormium 'Rainbow Surprise' – Enjoy a bright blend of orange, pink, and gold, perfect for lively mixed plantings.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red' – Bold deep red leaves provide a dramatic accent, ideal for making a strong visual statement.

How to Care for Phormium Rainbow Plants

Phormium rainbow plants are renowned for their robust, adaptable nature. Plant them in full sun for the best foliage colours, though they can also tolerate partial shade. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent root rot. Once established, they’re highly drought-tolerant and require little ongoing care – just remove damaged leaves in late winter or early spring to keep plants looking tidy. Fertilise annually with a balanced slow-release fertiliser to promote vigorous growth and colour.

For gardeners seeking bold, year-round colour and structure, phormium rainbow varieties are a top choice. With so many exciting options in the series, you’re sure to find the perfect flax for your landscape.

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.