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variegated phormium

Variegated phormium is a stunning option for anyone seeking bold foliage and reliable structure in their garden. Renowned for its colourful, striped leaves, this distinctive New Zealand native brings architectural interest to coastal, modern, and classic landscapes. If you're searching for dramatic texture, hardiness, and a low-maintenance feature plant, variegated phormium delivers vibrant results throughout the year.

A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.

Phormium 'Dark Delight'

5 from 3 customers

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 bronze shades. This striking ornamental variety brings drama, colour, and structure to gardens year round. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a wide range of NZ conditions, from coastal sites to urban landscapes. Phormium 'Dark Delight' is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low maintenance, architectural feature.

From $20.93

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
peperomia-clusiifolia-

Peperomia clusiifolia

Peperomia clusiifolia, commonly known as the Jelly Plant, is a popular and easy to grow indoor plant. It produces short stems carrying thick and glossy leaves that are variegated cream, green, and red, and typically grows to 30 cm tall and 25 cm wide. Peperomia clusiifolia is commonly grown indoors in an office or the like where a fresh, delightful, and elegant plant is required.

From $33.68

Suited to regions: Subtropical
Plant type: Indoor Plants
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 25 cm
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
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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...

From$20.93
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
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
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$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
Ctenanthe lubbersiana plant with yellow and green foliage.
Ctenanthe lubbersiana

Ctenanthe lubbersiana, commonly known as the Bamburanta Plant is a lush foliage plant that is commonly grown indoors as a potted plant. It features...

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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
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$117.09
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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Tiarella Neon Lights

Tiarella Neon Lights is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It grows as a clump, producing large leaves that are...

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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...

From$19.58
Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.
Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged...

From$21.53
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
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Schefflera arboricola variegated

The variegated Schefflera (Schefflera arboricola Variegated) is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant due to its attractive and...

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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 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$14.78
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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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
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Osmanthus heterophyllus Variegatus

Osmanthus heterophyllus Variegatus is an evergreen shrub that produces spiny leaves which are variegated dark green with a cream edge. The foliage is...

From$26.93
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Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum Curly, commonly known as the Curly Spider Plant or Airplane plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush, variegated, and...

From$21.53
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Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata (Field Elm)

Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata, commonly known as Field Elm or Variegated Elm tree, is a stately, deciduous tree grown for its colourful foliage. The...

From$432.79
Pandorea jasminoides variegata pink flower and variegated foliage.
Pandorea jasminoides variegata

Pandorea jasminoides 'Variegata' is a climber that features light pink, trumpet-shaped flowers with a dark pink throat from spring through autumn...

From$29.63
Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...

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Agave americana variegata

Agave americana variegata, commonly known as the Variegated Century Plant, is a large succulent that features broad, powder-blue leaves with yellow...

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Acer Esk Sunset (Eskimo Sunset Maple)

Acer pseudoplatanus Esk Sunset, commonly known as the Eskimo Sunset Sycamore Maple, is grown for its rich and colourful foliage. The lush leaves on...

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Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo'

Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo' is a rare and highly ornamental Japanese Maple treasured for its striking white and pink variegated foliage. Often called the...

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Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

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Buxus sempervirens variegata (Variegated Box) shrub with lush and colourful foliage.
Buxus sempervirens 'variegata'

Buxus sempervirens 'variegata' features small, mid-green leaves with cream-white edges on new growth, which age to become a darker green. It grows to...

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Metrosideros kermadecensis 'variegata' red flowers and variegated foliage.
Metrosideros kermadecensis variegata (Variegated Pohutukawa)

Metrosideros kermadecensis 'Variegata' is a striking NZ native shrub or small tree admired for its glossy green leaves edged with creamy variegation...

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Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' plants with variegated foliage and blue flowers.
Ajuga reptans variegata

Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' is a quick-growing, ground-covering plant that features colourful leaves that are variegated green and cream. In spring, it...

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Phormium 'Dark Delight'

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Acorus, Agave, Ajuga, Buxus, Chlorophytum, Coprosma, Ctenanthe, Metrosideros, Ophiopogon, Osmanthus, Pandorea, Peperomia, Phormium, Pittosporum, Schefflera Tiarella and Ulmus, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Flaxes, Grasses, Mondo Grass, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs, Succulents, Deciduous Trees Evergreen Trees and Maple Tree.

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What Is Variegated Phormium?

Variegated phormium, commonly known as New Zealand flax, refers to several cultivars of Phormium with striking multicoloured leaves. These varieties feature bands or stripes of cream, yellow, pink, or red running along deep green, olive, or bronze blades. The bold leaf variegation stands out not only in mixed borders but also in containers or as focal points.

Popular variegated cultivars include Phormium 'Tricolour', which offers bright cream and red margins, and Phormium 'Pink Panther', prized for its rich pink hues. These types of phormium provide contrasting tones that add energy and visual interest to any outdoor space.

How to Grow Variegated Phormium

One reason for the popularity of variegated phormium is its effortless care. These flaxes thrive in full sun or partial shade and cope well with a range of soil types, as long as drainage is reasonable. Naturally suited to coastal New Zealand conditions, phormium tolerates wind, salt, and moderate drought once established.

Plant in groups for a lush, textural effect, or dot individual plants through a gravel or Mediterranean-style garden. Variegated phormium creates a dynamic backdrop for flowering shrubs, ornamental grasses, or bolder foliage plants like Peperomia clusiifolia.

Design Uses for Variegated Phormium

Thanks to eye-catching form and evergreen leaves, variegated phormium shines as both a statement plant and an informal screen. It pairs beautifully with contemporary architecture but also suits classic cottage borders. Try combining variegated phormium with contrasting textures, such as the fine foliage of Pleioblastus viridistriatus (Pleioblastus), for a dramatic mixed planting.

Other popular cultivars like Phormium 'Veneer' introduce subtle pewter and burgundy tones, providing more options for creative garden schemes. Whether you use variegated phormium in pots, around pools, or as roadside feature plants, these flaxes will provide colour and movement through all seasons.

Caring for Your Variegated Phormium

Maintaining the vibrancy of variegated phormium is straightforward. Remove spent leaves from the base to keep clumps tidy. Mulch annually and feed in spring for best leaf colour. Regular watering helps young plants establish, after which they require little maintenance. With their robust nature, variegated phormium is a fantastic choice for both urban gardeners and rural landscapes.

Explore our full range, including Phormium 'Tricolour', Phormium 'Pink Panther', and Phormium 'Veneer', to find the perfect variegated phormium for your garden. Embrace the easy-care brilliance and lasting colour that only these wonderful New Zealand flaxes can bring.

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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.
You’ve probably heard of our garden favourites like Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile) and Dianella 'Little Jess', but did you know we also grow hidden gems like Camellia 'Little Liane', Cherry Dawson, and Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gumball'?
–The Plant Company

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