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-velvet-underground-1

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 about 80 cm tall and the same wide. Phormium Velvet Underground 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
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, 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. Dianella Kentlyn is commonly mass planted either as a groundcover or on a bank, included in borders or mixed plantings, planted around the base of large trees, grown around water features such as streams and ponds, or included in cottage gardens. This is a popular plant.

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
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$18.23
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...

From$20.18
phormium-chocomint--2

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...

From$24.23
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$24.23
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$20.93
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...

From$20.93
phormium-stripy-mist-

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...

From$20.93
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$18.23
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$16.13
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
phormium-pepe-

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...

From$20.93
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
phormium-pink-panther-

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...

From$20.93
Dianella revoluta 'Little Rev' plants in a garden.

Dianella 'Little Rev'

Dianella 'Little Rev' is a compact, clump-forming evergreen known for its striking blue-grey foliage and architectural form. This Blue Flax-Lily...

From$20.18

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$17.48
euphorbia-ascot-rainbow-1

Euphorbia Ascot Rainbow

Euphorbia Ascot Rainbow is renowned for its colourful foliage, compact growth habit, and pretty flowers. Clusters of showy, lime green and...

From$24.23
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$16.13
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
Coprosma 'Rainbow Surprise' pink and dark red foliage.

Coprosma 'Rainbow Surprise' (Mirror Bush)

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$21.53
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$29.63
Phormium 'Black Pepe' dwarf flax plant.

Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax)

Phormium 'Black Pepe' is a dwarf Flax variety that produces black leaves with a purple overtone. It grows to 60 cm tall and the same wide in full sun...

From$18.23
Phormium 'Velvet Underground'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Bougainvillea, Coprosma, Dianella Euphorbia and Phormium, or related Categories - Deciduous Climbers, 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.

–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.

4.9

429 Google reviews