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

red flax

Red flax (Phormium) is a stunning ornamental plant native to New Zealand that has gained popularity due to its striking foliage and versatility in landscaping. This hardy perennial is well-known for its vibrant red-hued leaves, making it an eye-catching addition to any garden or landscape design. Red flax thrives in various conditions, ranging from coastal sites to inland gardens, offering gardeners a resilient option that can withstand the variable New Zealand climate.

Phormium tenax

5 from 1 customers

Phormium tenax, commonly known as flax or harakeke, is an herbaceous perennial that produces erect, green, sword-like leaves. Stems rise above the foliage in summer to bear twisted looking flowers that result in black seed pods in autumn and the nectar produced by the flowers attracts both birds and butterflies. Harakeke grows as a clump to about 2 m tall and the same wide, performing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained site. Phormium tenax is a popular landscape option is also often used to contrast with other plant colours. A mass planting on bank not only provides an outstanding display but is great for helping to stabilise the soil.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian

Phormium Red Dwarf

Phormium Red Dwarf is a popular NZ native that features striking red-purple leaves. It grows as a tidy clump to about 1 m tall and the same wide. Phormium Red Dwarf is commonly added to mixed plantings, borders, coastal gardens, and is often planted around water features as well as pool and barbecue areas.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian
verbena-endurascape-red--3

Verbena Endurascape Red

“Endurascape Red” is an herbaceous perennial grown for its showy clusters of vibrant, bright red flowers. The flowers are produced from late spring...

From$23.77
leptospermum-red-falls--3

Leptospermum Red Falls

Leptospermum Red Falls is a low growing shrub renowned for its pretty flowers and a semi-pendulous growth habit. This showy plant produces masses of...

From$26.75
leptospermum-red-damask--1

Leptospermum Red Damask

Leptospermum Red Damask, commonly known as Tea Tree or Manuka, is a popular, NZ native shrub grown for its impressive flowering. It produces masses...

From$26.75
hoya-red-buttons-

Hoya pubicalyx Red Button

Hoya pubicalyx Red Button is a popular variety of Hoya and commonly grown as an indoor plant. It produces elongated, dark green leaves held on...

From$44.63
escallonia-red-elf-5

Escallonia Red Elf

Escallonia Red Elf is renowned for its masses of quaint flowers. Lush and glossy, green leaves give way to showy clusters of red flowers through...

From$23.77
Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.

Buddleia Royal Red

Buddleia Royal Red is a deciduous and fast-growing shrub produces large sprays of scented, rose-pink flowers from summer through autumn. These are...

From$26.75
heuchera-northern-exposure-red-

Heuchera Northern Exposure Red

Heuchera Northern Exposure Red is an herbaceous perennial grown for its richly coloured foliage. The leaves are a fantastic red-orange colour, wavy...

From$20.79
escallonia-red-dream-2

Escallonia Red Dream

Escallonia Red Dream is a smaller variety grown for both its attractive foliage and quaint flowers. Glossy, green leaves give way to clusters of...

From$26.75
pelargonium-redder-than-red-

Pelargonium Redder Than Red

Pelargonium Redder Than Red is a variety of Pelargonium grown for its clusters of bright red flowers. The showy flowers are borne through spring and...

From$20.79
pelargonium-mosaic-red-

Pelargonium Mosaic Red

Pelargonium Mosaic Red is a variety of Geranium grown for its small stature and clusters of red and white flecked flowers. The leaves on this...

From$20.79
hemerocallis-red-wonder-

Hemerocallis Red Wonder

Hemerocallis Red Wonder is a variety of the commonly known, Day Lily, and features very showy flowers. The showy, red flowers are only at peak...

From$22.28
aquilegia-red-hobbit-

Aquilegia Red Hobbit

Aquilegia Red Hobbit is an herbaceous perennial that features lovely, red and white flowers from late spring through until early summer. The flowers...

From$20.79
lophomyrtus-red-dragon-

Lophomyrtus Red Dragon

Lophomyrtus Red Dragon is a variety of the commonly known, NZ Myrtle, and is grown for its colourful foliage. Dark stems bear small and colourful...

From$34.20
phormium-cookianum-7

Phormium cookianum

Phormium cookianum (commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki) produces long and gently arching dark green leaves. This NZ native grows to 1.5 m...

From$16.32
albizia-julibrissin-red-silk-3

Albizia Red Silk

Albizia julibrissin Red Silk is a variety of the commonly known, Silk Tree, and is grown for its delicate foliage and showy flowers. The fern-like...

From$321.74
azalea-mrs-kint-red-

Azalea Mrs Kint Red

Azalea Mrs Kint Red is grown for its lovely form and profuse flowering. This hardy, evergreen shrub produces masses of medium sized, pink flowers...

From$26.75
grevillea-red-clusters-4

Grevillea Red Clusters

Grevillea Red Clusters is a fast-growing shrub renowned for its striking flowers and great foliage. Showy clusters of red, spider-like flowers are...

From$28.24
heliconia-red-christmas-

Heliconia Red Christmas

Heliconia Red Christmas is a delightful plant which is grown for its amazing foliage and flowers. It carries lush and glossy, dark green leaves...

From$68.47
Brunia 'Ruby Red' plant with red flowers.

Brunia Ruby Red

Brunia Ruby Red is a shrub with unusual flowers. The flowers in summer are red and appear as tight, bead-like heads. It grows as a tall, slender...

From$201.05
cordyline-australis-red-star-8

Cordyline Red Star

Cordyline australis Red Star features gently arching leaves are borne as a crown atop a short trunk. It will reach 3 m tall and 1.5 m wide...

From$20.79
acer-red-emperor-2

Acer Red Emperor

Acer palmatum Red Emperor is an impressive Japanese Maple that features lush foliage that emerges a deep red colour, remains this way until autumn...

From$241.28
leucothoe-curly-red-2

Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red

Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red, commonly known as Dog Hobble, is a beautiful shrub which is grown of its colourful and curly foliage. New foliage is...

From$25.26
pelargonium-two-in-one-dark-red-

Pelargonium Two in One Dark Red

Pelargonium Two In One Dark Red is a variety of Geranium grown for its clusters of dark red flowers. The showy flowers are borne through spring and...

From$20.79
persicaria-microcephala-red-dragon--2

Persicaria Red Dragon

The Persicaria Red Dragon plant, commonly known as Knotweed, is a small shrub grown for its beautiful foliage. It carries elongated leaves that are...

From$23.77
A plant adorned with red Abutilon flowers and lush foliage.

Abutilon Red

Abutilon Red, commonly known as Chinese Lantern, Red Flowering Maple, or Parlour Maple, features showy, intense red, lantern-shaped flowers from...

From$26.75
Imperata 'Red Baron' with colourful, red foliage

Imperata Red Baron

Imperata Red Baron, commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass or Red Baron, features leaves that are green at the base and become red further up the...

From$15.65
carex-comans-red-

Carex comans Red

Carex comans Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features slender, hair-like foliage which is a bronze-red colour. It grows as a clump and will...

From$14.16
azalea-red-poppy-

Azalea Red Poppy

Azalea Red Poppy is a very colourful variety of Azalea. This hardy, evergreen shrub produces masses of showy, semi-double, deep red flowers with a...

From$26.75
escallonia-red-knight--2

Escallonia Red Knight

Escallonia Red Knight is renowned for its attractive foliage and quaint flowers. Lush and glossy, green leaves give way to showy clusters of red-pink...

From$23.77
azalea-red-wings-

Azalea Red Wings

“Red Wings” is a variety of Azalea grown for its lovely form and profuse flowering. This hardy, evergreen shrub produces masses of medium sized...

From$26.08
Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Abutilon, Acer, Albizia, Aquilegia, Azalea, Brunia, Buddleia, Carex, Cordyline, Escallonia, Grevillea, Heliconia, Hemerocallis, Heuchera, Hoya, Imperata, Leptospermum, Leucothoe, Lophomyrtus, Pelargonium, Persicaria Phormium and Verbena, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Azaleas, Evergreen Shrubs Deciduous Trees and Maple Tree.

Search red flax

Characteristics of Red Flax

The remarkable feature of red flax is its alluring foliage, which can range in colors from deep burgundy to bright red, depending on the variety. This plant typically grows tall, reaching heights of up to 2 meters, and has sword-like leaves that create a dramatic vertical interest in your garden beds. In addition to its stunning appearance, red flax is drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their gardens with low-maintenance plants.

Growing and Caring for Red Flax

Red flax prefers well-drained soil and enjoys full sun to partial shade. For those living in areas that experience frost, it's advisable to plant red flax in a sheltered location to provide it with additional protection. Regular watering will support its growth, especially during the establishment phase, but be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. To ensure your red flax remains healthy and vigorous, occasional pruning or the removal of dead leaves is recommended.

Benefits of Incorporating Red Flax in Your Garden

Incorporating red flax into your landscape design provides numerous benefits. Not only does it serve as a striking focal point, but it also attracts birds and beneficial insects, which can enhance your garden's ecosystem. This plant works beautifully in borders, alongside other colorful varieties like Hemerocallis Red Wonder and Heliconia Red Christmas, allowing for a vibrant display of color throughout the seasons. Additionally, red flax is an excellent choice for coastal gardens due to its resistance to harsh salt winds.

Explore Related Plant Varieties

As you consider adding red flax to your gardening repertoire, you might also be interested in exploring similar varieties that offer striking red hues. Check out Phormium Red Dwarf for a compact option or Phormium tenax for a native alternative. If you are looking for complementary shrubs, consider Leptospermum Red Falls or Buddleia Royal Red to create a cohesive and colorful garden design.

Each of these related plants can harmonize beautifully with red flax, enriching your landscape with varying shapes and shades of red, allowing your garden to truly flourish. Start your journey today with red flax and explore the diverse world of colorful New Zealand flora, including other stunning choices such as Escallonia Red Dream and Hoya pubicalyx Red Button. With the right selection and care, you'll enjoy a vibrant, thriving garden for years to come.


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.

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

411 Google reviews