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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

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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.

From $7.50

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
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 produces clusters of sweetly scented, star-shaped white flowers contrasting beautifully against the variegated foliage.

From $15.50

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Arches, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical, White
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
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
phormium-pepe-
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
viburnum-tinus-variegatum--1
Viburnum tinus variegatum

Viburnum tinus 'Variegatum' is an attractive evergreen shrub prized for its cream and green variegated foliage that provides year round colour and...

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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 '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
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum'

Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' (Spider Plant) is a popular evergreen perennial valued for its arching green and white striped foliage and easy...

From$39.95
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 '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
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...

From$249.95
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 tenax green plant.
Phormium tenax 'Green' (Harakeke)

Phormium tenax 'Green' is a classic New Zealand flax valued for its strong upright green foliage and outstanding versatility in the landscape. This...

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phormium-bronze-baby-
Phormium tenax 'Bronze'

Phormium 'Bronze Baby' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its rich bronze foliage and neat architectural form. This hardy evergreen provides...

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phormium-tenax-purpurea-1
Phormium tenax purpureum (Purple Flax)

Phormium tenax 'Purpureum' is a bold New Zealand flax valued for its rich purple bronze foliage and strong architectural form. This evergreen native...

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phormium-taya-
Phormium 'Taya'

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

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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...

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nerium-oleander-variegatum-
Oleander variegatum (Variegated Oleander)

Oleander Variegatum is a vigorous shrub grown for its dazzling display of flowers and colourful foliage. This vigorous plant grows densely with...

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Pittosporum eugenioides variegatum lush foliage.
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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A large Pittosporum eugenioides 'Variegatum Minimum' specimen tree.
Pittosporum eugenioides 'Variegatum Minimum' (Variegated Lemonwood)

Pittosporum eugenioides 'Variegatum Minimum' features dark and slender stems which bear leaves that are variegated bright green and cream. It grows...

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phormium-duet-
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...

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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...

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phormium-blondie-
Phormium 'Blondie'

Phormium 'Blondie' is a compact New Zealand flax admired for its bright golden yellow foliage that brings year round colour and texture to the...

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A colourful Phormium 'Merlot' dark red-purple flax plant.
Phormium 'Merlot'

Phormium Merlot is a variety of Flax that produces long and broad, sword like leaves that are coloured dark purple-grey with a distinctive black...

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phormium-moonraker--3
Phormium 'Moonraker'

Phormium 'Moonraker' is a striking New Zealand flax renowned for its bold cream to yellow foliage that brings exceptional brightness and structure to...

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Baumea tenax plants growing in water.
Baumea tenax

Baumea tenax, commonly known as the Bumblebee Nut Sedge, is an attractive and fast-growing plant with rigid, dark green foliage. It can be identified...

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phormium-shiraz-
Phormium 'Shiraz'

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

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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...

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Phormium 'Apricot Queen' orange, green, and yellow variegated foliage.
Phormium 'Apricot Queen'

Phormium 'Apricot Queen' is a stunning NZ flax variety valued for its arching leaves striped with apricot, cream, and green tones. This colourful...

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Polygonatum multiflorum variegatum flowers and foliage.
Polygonatum multiflorum Variegatum

Polygonatum multiflorum variegatum, commonly known as variegated Solomon’s Seal, produces lush, dark green leaves edged with cream off upright stems...

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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, and Trachelospermum, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Flaxes, and Indoor Plants.

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.

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.
Ficus benjamina and Corokia 'Geenty's Green' are beloved staples, but Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka), Olive 'Manzanillo', and Rosmarinus 'Pink Remembrance' (Pink Rosemary) bring fresh energy to any planting scheme.
–The Plant Company

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