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phormium tenax variegatum

Phormium tenax variegatum is a striking variegated flax that brings a bold, architectural statement to New Zealand gardens. Known for its broad, upright leaves striped with creamy yellow, green, and sometimes subtle pinkish hues, this hardy evergreen offers year-round colour and drama. Like all New Zealand flaxes, phormium tenax variegatum is both highly wind and salt tolerant, making it a superb choice for coastal planting, exposed sites, or urban gardens wanting a touch of native excellence. With its versatility and easy-care nature, it’s no wonder this cultivar is a favourite among landscapers and home gardeners alike.

Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.

Phormium tenax

5 from 2 customers

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 foliage in summer to bear twisted-looking flowers that result in black seed pods in autumn, and the nectar produced by the flowers attracts both birds and butterflies. Harakeke grows as a clump to about 2 m tall and the same wide, performing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained site. It is a popular landscape option that is also often used to contrast with other plant colours. Mass planting on a bank not only provides an outstanding display but is also excellent for helping to stabilise the soil.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
phormium-veneer-

Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium Veneer is a colourful and very popular NZ native flax that features striking orange and brown stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to about 80 cm tall and the same wide. Phormium Veneer is commonly added to mixed and border plantings, included in coastal gardens, planted around outdoor living areas, or maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum white flowers and variegated leaves.

Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum (Variegated Star Jasmine)

Trachelospermum jasminoides Variegatum is a striking evergreen climber featuring glossy green leaves edged with creamy-white margins. In summer, it...

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Pittosporum eugenioides 'variegatum' (Variegated Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides Variegatum, commonly known as Variegated Tarata, features slender, dark coloured stems which bear dark green leaves with a...

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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...

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Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.

Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum Variegatum, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and variegated foliage. It...

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Viburnum tinus variegatum

Viburnum tinus variegatum is an evergreen shrub that features variegated foliage and showy flowers. Pink flower buds open to reveal showy clusters of...

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Phormium 'Velvet Underground'

Phormium Velvet Underground is a colourful NZ native flax that features striking grey foliage with pink stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to...

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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...

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Phormium 'Pink Panther'

Phormium Pink Panther produces long, sword like leaves that are candy pink with red-bronze margins. This Flax typically grows to 1.2 m tall and the...

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Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium Pepe is a smaller variety of Flax that produces narrow and sword-like, bright green leaves. It typically grows to just 45 cm tall and the...

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A large Phormium 'Jester' plant with colourful foliage.

Phormium 'Jester'

Phormium 'Jester' is a showy variety of Flax that produces leaves that are striped with a broad, pink central band and a dark purple border. This...

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A large Phormium 'Evening Glow' plant in a garden.

Phormium 'Evening Glow'

Phormium 'Evening Glow' is a variety of Flax that produces long and broad, sword-like leaves that are coloured various shades of pink and red with a...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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$18.23
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Phormium 'Chocomint'

Phormium Chocomint is a popular variety of Flax owing to its colourful foliage which brown with green stripes. It grows to 1 m tall and wide in full...

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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...

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Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Chlorophytum, Phormium, Pittosporum Trachelospermum and Viburnum, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Flaxes, Indoor Plants Evergreen Shrubs and Evergreen Trees.

Search phormium tenax variegatum

Stunning Variegated Foliage

The key feature of phormium tenax variegatum is its boldly striped leaves. Each blade stands tall, showcasing a beautiful mix of soft gold, creamy white, and green, instantly brightening up borders and providing elegant contrast amongst darker foliage plants. This eye-catching colour combination works well in mixed garden beds or as a stand-alone specimen. Over time, phormium tenax variegatum forms dense clumps, providing year-round structure and movement in the landscape.

Versatile Uses in the Garden

Phormium tenax variegatum's robust nature means it thrives in a variety of settings. Use it as an eye-catching focal point in native gardens, mass plant it for a dramatic effect along driveways, or incorporate it into coastal or boggy sites where its tolerance for wind, damp soils and salt-laden air truly shines. It’s also ideal for low-maintenance, drought-resistant landscapes as the thick fleshy leaves retain moisture during dry spells.

Care and Planting Tips

Plant phormium tenax variegatum in full sun to partial shade, in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. It's relatively pest and disease resistant, but benefits from a tidy-up of old, damaged leaves in late winter or spring. Once established, it needs very little maintenance, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners or low-care landscapes.

Complementing Other Phormiums

For even more landscape drama and texture, combine phormium tenax variegatum with different coloured flax varieties from our range. Pair with Phormium tenax for striking architectural contrast, or soften the look with the deep tones of Phormium tenax purpureum (Purple Flax). For modern garden palettes, introduce Phormium tenax 'Bronze' and Phormium 'Veneer', or create a classic native planting using Phormium tenax 'Green' (Harakeke).

Why Choose Phormium tenax variegatum?

Choosing phormium tenax variegatum means investing in beauty, resilience, and easy-care performance for your garden. Whether you’re designing with New Zealand natives or crafting a contemporary outdoor space, this variegated flax adds colour, movement, and structure all year round. Explore our full range of flaxes and find the perfect plant companions to suit your garden’s needs.


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