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phormium rainbow

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' 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.

From $249.95

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-veneer-

Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium 'Veneer' is a striking NZ flax known for its upright, sword like leaves with rich bronze and green tones. This hardy evergreen adds bold structure and year round colour to gardens. Well suited to NZ conditions, it thrives in a range of environments and is ideal for feature planting, borders, and modern landscapes.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' flax plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Rainbow Queen'

Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' is a variety of Flax that produces long, sword-like leaves that are bronze-green with pink-red margins. This variety...

OUT OF STOCK
A Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' plant with colourful foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Chief'

Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' is a bold and colourful New Zealand native flax variety known for its striking arching leaves striped with tones of red...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Rainbow Surprise' colourful foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Surprise'

Phormium 'Rainbow Surprise' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax variety admired for its striking foliage striped in shades of pink, cream, and...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-veneer-
Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium 'Veneer' is a striking NZ flax known for its upright, sword like leaves with rich bronze and green tones. This hardy evergreen adds bold...

From$14.95
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Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium 'Pepe' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine green foliage and neat mounding growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides year...

From$19.95
Phormium cookianum

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall...

From$14.95
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Surfer'

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching...

From$14.95
Coprosma 'Rainbow Surprise' pink and dark red foliage.
Coprosma 'Rainbow Surprise'

Coprosma ‘Rainbow Surprise’ is a vibrant NZ shrub admired for its colourful and glossy foliage. The leaves display a lively mix of pink, cream, and...

From$17.95
A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.
Phormium 'Dark Delight'

Phormium 'Dark Delight', also known as Dark Purple Flax, is a bold New Zealand native flax prized for its broad, upright leaves in deep purple to...

From$19.95
Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.
Phormium tenax

Phormium tenax, commonly known as the NZ flax or Harakeke, is a flax plant that produces erect, green, sword-like leaves. Stems rise above the...

From$7.50
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.
Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

Phormium 'Emerald Gem' is a dwarf variety of Mountain Flax or Wharariki. It produces emerald-green leaves and grows to 60 cm tall and 70 cm wide in...

From$8.50
Bougainvillea 'Tropical Rainbow' pink flowers with variegated and cream foliage.
Bougainvillea 'Tropical Rainbow'

Bougainvillea 'Tropical Rainbow' is a spectacular and colourful climber. This Bougainvillea features rich, purple flowers which are held amidst the...

From$30.29
Phormium 'Emerald Green' plants in a mixed planting.
Phormium 'Emerald Green'

Phormium 'Emerald Green' is a compact New Zealand flax valued for its rich emerald green foliage and tidy growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides...

From$14.95
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Jack Spratt'

Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is one of the smallest New Zealand native flax varieties, admired for its narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze to dark...

From$14.95
Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.
Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Phormium 'Green Dwarf', also known as Dwarf Green Flax, is a compact, tidy New Zealand flax cultivar with lush, bright green, strap-like leaves. It...

From$8.50
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze'

Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' is a compact and stylish New Zealand native flax with narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze tones. This striking ornamental...

From$14.95
Croton 'Laurens Rainbow' plants with colourful foliage.
Croton Lauren's Rainbow (Lauren's Rainbow Croton)

Croton Lauren's Rainbow is a colourful, tropical plant that is often grown indoors as a potted plant. It features slender leaves that are a mix of...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Joker' large and colourful plant.
Phormium 'Joker'

Phormium 'Joker' is a colourful New Zealand flax celebrated for its striking foliage featuring bronze green leaves with vibrant pink and cream...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Duet'

Phormium 'Duet' is a striking New Zealand flax valued for its attractive green leaves edged with creamy yellow margins. This evergreen plant provides...

OUT OF STOCK
Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow' plant with variegated and colourful foliage.
Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow'

Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its colourful variegated foliage that features shades of green, cream...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium colensoi plant.
Phormium colensoi

Phormium colensoi is a graceful New Zealand native flax valued for its softer, more arching foliage and natural elegance. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Taya'

Phormium 'Taya' is a beautiful New Zealand flax valued for its elegant foliage and strong architectural form. This hardy evergreen provides year...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Chocomint'

Phormium 'Chocomint' is a striking New Zealand flax admired for its unique foliage colouring that blends chocolate brown and green tones. This...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-coffee-1
Phormium 'Coffee'

Phormium 'Coffee' is a striking New Zealand flax renowned for its rich coffee brown foliage that adds year round colour, texture, and structure to...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Shiraz'

Phormium 'Shiraz' is a striking New Zealand flax renowned for its rich burgundy red foliage and bold architectural form. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-tricolour-
Phormium 'Tricolour'

Phormium 'Tricolour' is a striking New Zealand flax admired for its colourful foliage featuring green leaves edged with cream and highlighted by pink...

OUT OF STOCK
A Phormium 'Dazzler' plant with colourful, red and purple foliage.
Phormium 'Dazzler'

Phormium 'Dazzler' is a variety of flax that produces long leaves that are dark purple with rose-pink stripes. It typically grows to 1.2 m tall and...

OUT OF STOCK
sedum-rainbow-blob-
Sedum Rainbow Blob

Sedum 'Rainbow Blob' is a colourful succulent perennial prized for its attractive variegated foliage that displays shades of green, cream, and pink...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Sunset Dreams' colourful foliage.
Phormium 'Sunset Dreams'

Phormium 'Sunset Dreams' is a stunning New Zealand native flax variety celebrated for its vibrant foliage of pink, apricot, and bronze tones. This...

OUT OF STOCK
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Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'

Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' is a striking evergreen perennial known for its colourful variegated foliage featuring green, cream, and pink tones...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search phormium rainbow

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:

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Garden icons like Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald' and Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood) lead the way, but there’s magic in discovering Echinopsis oxygona, Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka), and Plum 'Greengage'.
–The Plant Company

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