Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

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.

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. With its dramatic foliage and easy care nature, Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a standout feature for both modern and traditional landscapes.

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'

Phormium 'Stripy Mist' is an attractive New Zealand flax valued for its beautifully variegated foliage featuring soft green leaves striped with creamy white tones. This evergreen plant provides year round colour, texture, and architectural structure while brightening garden spaces with its elegant appearance. Its upright arching habit makes it ideal for borders, containers, coastal gardens, and feature plantings. Phormium 'Stripy Mist' is hardy, low maintenance, and performs exceptionally well throughout New Zealand in a wide range of landscape settings.

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: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
A mass planting of Dianella caerulea 'Little Jess' plants with lush, green foliage.
Dianella 'Little Jess'

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...

From$20.18
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$18.23
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$18.63
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$20.18
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...

From$20.93
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$15.11
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$18.63
dianella-blaze-
Dianella Blaze

Dianella Blaze features broad and gently arching, bronze-purple leaves that are very showy. It typically grows to 70 cm tall and the same wide...

From$16.49
dianella-caerulea-goddess-
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...

From$20.18
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$16.13
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$18.63
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$21.39
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$17.25
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$21.39
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$16.13
Dianella revoluta 'Little Rev' plants in a garden.
Dianella 'Little Rev'

Dianella 'Little Rev' (Blue Flax Lily) is a compact and hardy ornamental grass like plant valued for its attractive blue green foliage and tidy...

From$15.87
Large Astelia chathamica in a garden with silver flax-like leaves.
Astelia chathamica (Chatham Island Astelia)

Astelia chathamica, commonly known as the Chatham Island Astelia or Kakaha, produces broad, erect, silver-green leaves. The leaves are held with a...

From$299.92
A spectacular cluster of Llibertia peregrinans plants with bright orange foliage.
Libertia peregrinans

Libertia peregrinans, commonly known as Orange Libertia or Wandering Mikoikoi, is a colourful New Zealand native groundcover prized for its striking...

From$15.11
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$20.63
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' plant in a pot.
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring, which are followed by small, blue berries in summer. These are...

From$18.83
euphorbia-ascot-rainbow-1
Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'

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

From$24.23
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$16.22
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$20.18
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$29.63
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

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 Lomandra White Sands and Azara microphylla — like the subtle beauty of Cherry Lapins, Geranium 'Kashmir White', and Gleditsia triacanthos Limelight (Honey Locust).
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews