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

red flax plant

The red flax plant, known for its striking red foliage and architectural form, is a stunning addition to any garden landscape. With its vibrant colors and resilience, the red flax (Phormium) can thrive in various conditions, making it a favorite among gardeners in New Zealand and beyond. This versatile plant works beautifully as a border, accent, or focal point in gardens ranging from coastal to inland settings.

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
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
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
callistemon-red-alert-4

Callistemon Red Alert

Callistemon Red Alert is an evergreen shrub renowned for its attractive foliage and hardiness. New growth is bright red and literally transforms the...

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
lagerstroemia-crimson-red--2

Lagerstroemia Crimson Red

“Crimson Red” is a small, deciduous tree, grown for its lovely flowers, foliage, and great form. It produces clusters of ruffled, crimson red flowers...

From$29.73
cordyline-red-fountain--2

Cordyline Red Fountain

Cordyline Red Foutain is a stunning, ornamental grass grown for its amazing foliage. Strap-like, dark red-purple leaves cascade like a fountain from...

From$29.73
acer-red-sunset-2

Acer Red Sunset

Acer rubrum Red Sunset is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that features fantastic autumn colours. The lush foliage emerges mid-green in spring...

From$190.62
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
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
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
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
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
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-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
photinia-super-red--1

Photinia Super Red

Photinia Super Red is one of the more popular hedging plants due to its very colourful foliage. New growth is bright red and ages to become mid-dark...

From$25.26
hibiscus-red-heart--3

Hibiscus Red Heart

Hibiscus Red Heart features white flowers with a red centre, and a papery texture. These are produced through summer and autumn off upright, slender...

From$26.75
callistemon-citrinus-red-cluster-2

Callistemon Red Cluster

Callistemon Red Cluster is a vigorous, evergreen shrub renowned for its attractive foliage and bottlebrush-like flowers. Masses of the showy, red...

From$26.75
Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search red flax plant

Characteristics and Care

Red flax plants are evergreen perennials that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall, with sword-like leaves that add drama and texture. When planted in well-drained soil and given full sun to partial shade, these resilient flora shine their brightest. They are drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering once established, thus making them an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens.

You can enhance your garden's aesthetic by pairing red flax with other vibrant plants such as the Phormium Red Dwarf or the classic Phormium tenax. These companions will complement the bold colors of the red flax while providing an interesting mix of textures and forms in your garden.

Best Uses of Red Flax

The versatility of the red flax plant allows for multiple uses in the garden. Its upright form makes it an ideal structural element, providing vertical interest in flower beds and borders. It also works well as a backdrop for lower-growing flowers, accentuating their colors and beauty. For instance, imagine how stunning it would be to plant red flax alongside flowering perennials like Heuchera Northern Exposure Red or Hemerocallis Red Wonder.

Another fantastic pairing is with other shrubs that embody the same deep red hues, such as Loropetalum Red Temple or Leptospermum Red Falls. Together, they create a color palette that livens up any garden space and draws the eye.

Combining with Other Plants

Incorporating the red flax plant into your garden design opens up many creative possibilities. Combine its tall, elegant leaves with compact shrubs like Escallonia Red Dream or Azalea Mrs Kint Red. This combination creates a layered effect, where the larger red flax frames the smaller shrubs, showcasing their features beautifully.

It's important to consider the growth patterns of your plants when designing your space. For a stunning textural contrast, integrate the red flax with the fine foliage of grasses like Carex comans Red or even mix in flowering plants like Pelargonium Redder Than Red to create an engaging tapestry of colors and forms.

Conclusion

The red flax plant is more than just a pretty face; it's a practical and dynamic component of any New Zealand garden. With its vibrant color and ease of care, it stands out as a plant that adds beauty and functionality to your outdoor space. Dive into the world of red flax and explore plant combinations that will elevate your garden design, transforming it into a vibrant oasis that reflects your personal style. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, the red flax plant is a fantastic choice that you won’t regret adding to your garden palette.


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