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rainbow flax

Rainbow flax is a standout choice for any New Zealand garden, admired for its bold, multicoloured foliage and hardy nature. Whether you’re seeking vibrant accents for landscaping or wanting easy-care plants that provide year-round interest, rainbow flax delivers both style and substance. Native to New Zealand, these Phormium cultivars display dramatic stripes, ranging from pinks and reds to yellows and greens, making them an eye-catching feature in borders, pots, and mass plantings.

A mass planting of Dianella caerulea 'Little Jess' plants with lush, green foliage.

Dianella 'Little Jess'

5 from 2 customers

Dianella 'Little Jess' is a variety of NZ Flax Lily that bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring above lush, mid-green leaves. Small, blue berries follow the flowers. It grows to 40 cm tall and the same wide in full sun or partial shade.

From $16.49

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 40 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2

Dianella Kentlyn

Dianella Kentlyn is a variety of the commonly known, Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue undertone. Flower stems rise above the foliage through spring to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers which result in blue berries. It grows to 60 cm tall and 40 cm wide in full sun or partial shade.

From $16.49

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Wet
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2
Dianella Kentlyn

Dianella Kentlyn is a variety of the commonly known, Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

From$16.49
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$12.95
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$12.95
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$12.95
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 '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$12.95
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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$17.95
Dianella Revelation plants growing in a garden.
Dianella 'Revelation'

Dianella 'Revelation' features flower stems that rise above the foliage through spring and summer to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers, which...

From$16.49
Dianella tasmanica (Tasman Flax Lily) plants with green foliage and blue flowers.
Dianella tasmanica

Dianella tasmanica, commonly known as the Tasman Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green and have a lush...

From$19.25
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$8.50
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$17.95
Large Black Rage Phormium in a garden with black foliage.
Phormium 'Black Rage'

Phormium 'Black Rage' is a striking New Zealand native flax known for its bold, upright leaves in deep shades of dark purple to near black. This...

From$12.95
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
Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' plant with pink flowers and foliage variegated green and yellow.
Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow'

Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' is an architectural evergreen prized for its variegated sword like leaves washed with soft gold and green tones. In...

From$37.19
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$16.95
Phormium 'Black Magic' plants in a large pot and featuring elegant, dark-coloured foliage.
Phormium 'Black Magic'

Phormium ‘Black Magic’ is a striking NZ flax prized for its deep purple black foliage and strong architectural form. This evergreen variety adds year...

From$17.95
Dianella caerulea 'Breeze' growing in a roadside garden.
Dianella 'Breeze'

Dianella 'Breeze' (Turutu) is a hardy and attractive perennial that brings lush, strappy green foliage and clusters of delicate blue flowers to New...

From$16.49
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
Dianella nigra plant with masses of blue berries.
Dianella nigra (New Zealand Blueberry)

Dianella nigra, commonly known as the New Zealand Blueberry or Tūrutu, is a NZ native that features lush foliage and glossy berries that vary in...

From$20.63
cordyline-lime-fountain-3
Cordyline Lime Fountain

Cordyline 'Lime Foutain' is a fresh and vibrant evergreen plant admired for its bright lime green foliage and graceful fountain like form. The...

From$35.19
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 'Rainbow Maiden' flax plants with colourful pink and purple foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden'

Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax variety admired for its striking pink, bronze, and green striped foliage. This...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Cream Delight' plant in a garden.
Phormium 'Cream Delight' (Cream Delight Flax)

Phormium 'Cream Delight' is a variety of Flax that produces leaves that are variegated with dark green and cream. This variety grows to 1.3 m tall...

OUT OF STOCK
Dianella caerulea plants with blue flowers.
Dianella caerulea (Paroo Lily)

Dianella caerulea, commonly known as the NZ Flax Lily or Paroo Lily, is an herbaceous perennial that bears spikes carrying delicate blue and yellow...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Wildwood'

Phormium 'Wildwood' is a striking New Zealand flax valued for its rich bronze green foliage and strong architectural form. This hardy evergreen...

OUT OF STOCK
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Dianella Goddess

Dianella Goddess is a variety of the commonly known, NZ Flax Lily, and produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne gnidium plant with green leaves, white flowers, and orange berries.
Daphne gnidium (Flax-Leaved Daphne)

Daphne gnidium is an attractive evergreen shrub valued for its fine foliage, masses of fragrant white flowers, and colourful berries that provide...

OUT OF STOCK
Astelia fragrans (Bush Flax) plant with lush green foliage growing beside a track.
Astelia fragrans (Bush Flax)

Astelia fragrans, commonly known as Bush Flax or Kakaha, is a hardy, clump-forming native plant of New Zealand. It features long, arching green...

OUT OF STOCK
Dianella 'Little Jess'

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search rainbow flax

What is Rainbow Flax?

Rainbow flax refers to a selection of colourful Phormium tenax and Phormium cookianum cultivars, each with unique, rainbow-inspired striping. Unlike traditional green flax, these varieties offer spectacular bands of colour, ideal for creating dynamic landscape designs. Their sword-like leaves not only provide visual impact but are also resilient, thriving in coastal conditions, windy spots, and a range of soil types.

Best Rainbow Flax Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

If you’re searching for the perfect rainbow flax, several standout cultivars are available, each bringing their own flare to the garden. Among the most popular options are Phormium 'Rainbow Queen', celebrated for its olive-green leaves edged with orange and pink. For those after a bolder look, Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' combines deep bronze with vivid red streaks, offering a strong statement plant. Phormium 'Rainbow Surprise' lives up to its name, boasting unpredictable bands of pink, bronze, and yellow, perfect for adding a splash of surprise to garden beds.

For a softer effect, Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden' features elegant, arching leaves with pastel pinks and greens, ideal for containers or as a specimen plant. Meanwhile, Phormium 'Rainbow Red' delivers a warm palette of reds and bronzes, especially striking when planted in groups or used as a border.

Planting and Caring for Rainbow Flax

Rainbow flax is remarkably easy to grow, making it a top choice for low-maintenance gardens. Plant in full sun to part shade for best colour and well-drained soil to prevent root rot. Once established, these plants are drought tolerant and require minimal watering, thriving even in salty coastal environments. To keep your rainbow flax looking its best, remove older or damaged leaves from the base, and enjoy their year-round foliage with very little fuss.

How to Use Rainbow Flax in the Landscape

With its bold colour and structural form, rainbow flax is incredibly versatile. Use it as a statement plant in modern gardens, as a backdrop for lower-growing perennials, or in mass plantings to create dramatic visual interest. Smaller varieties like Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden' work beautifully in pots, while taller types such as Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' add height and movement to mixed borders.

No matter which cultivar you choose, rainbow flax brings vibrant New Zealand heritage and effortless style to any outdoor space, ensuring your garden stands out in every season.

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.
There’s more to explore beyond Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily' and Lomandra Lime Tuff — like the subtle beauty of Syzygium 'Resilience', Grevillea 'Gold Rush', and Cordyline albertii.
–The Plant Company

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