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

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, bronze, and green. This hardy evergreen forms a strong clump that delivers year round interest and architectural presence in the garden. Versatile, low maintenance, and resilient, 'Rainbow Chief' is perfect for modern landscapes, borders, and coastal plantings.

A Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' plant with colourful foliage.

Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' is currently unavailable, but we do have other other amazing species and varieties of Phormium available.

explore them here

Notify me when this is available:
Please enter your email address below if you would like to know when it becomes available again.

Suited to regions:All regions
Plant type:Flaxes
Height:1.30 m
Spread:1.30 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, Modern, Native, Riparian
Easy to grow?Yes
Maintenance requirementsLow
Growth rateMedium
Also known as
Sku10199

How to grow Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' in NZ

Growing Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' in New Zealand is straightforward, as it thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to a wide range of soils. For best results, plant in well drained soil and water regularly during establishment. Once established, it is drought tolerant and very hardy. This variety also performs well in exposed and coastal conditions, making it a reliable choice for many NZ gardens.

Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' care tips

Caring for Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' is easy, as it requires little attention once established. Remove old or damaged leaves at the base to keep the clump looking fresh. A slow release fertiliser applied in spring will encourage strong growth and vibrant foliage colour. Spent flower stalks can be trimmed to maintain a neat appearance, ensuring the plant continues to look its best year round.

Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' size, spacing, and growth rate

Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' typically grows 1.5 to 2 metres tall and about 1.2 to 1.5 metres wide, forming a strong, upright clump. For borders or mass plantings, space plants 1 to 1.2 metres apart. The growth rate is moderate to fast, with plants establishing well within a few seasons and quickly becoming a feature in the landscape.

Landscaping uses for Phormium 'Rainbow Chief'

Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' is highly valued in landscaping for its vibrant foliage and robust nature. It is ideal for adding structure and colour to borders, mass plantings, or as a statement feature in modern gardens. Its bold striped leaves provide year round interest and contrast beautifully with other plants. It is also an excellent choice for coastal gardens and larger pots, offering versatility in both residential and commercial landscapes.

Why buy Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' from The Plant Company?

Purchasing Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' from The Plant Company ensures you receive premium quality plants grown in New Zealand conditions. As NZ’s most trusted plant nursery, we provide strong, healthy plants that establish quickly and thrive in your garden. Customers value our expert advice, careful packaging, and fast nationwide delivery. When you buy from The Plant Company, you can be confident your Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' will deliver lasting beauty and resilience in your outdoor spaces.

Questions and Answers

Have a question about Phormium 'Rainbow Chief'? We are here to help.

Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.
Most Popular 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
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.
Most Popular 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
A large Phormium 'Jester' plant with colourful foliage.
Most Popular 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 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Most Popular 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 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Most Popular 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
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Most Popular 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-revoluta-kentlyn--2
Most Popular 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
A mass planting of Libertia 'Gold Finger' in a garden.
Most Popular Libertia 'Goldfinger'

Libertia 'Goldfinger' (Yellow Libertia) is a standout evergreen perennial admired for its striking golden yellow foliage and elegant white flowers...

From$17.87
From trusted favourites like Ficus benjamina variegata and Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass) to fresh faces like Orange Barnfield, Feijoa 'Antoinette', and Prunus Amanogawa — we’ve got you covered.
–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