About
Cordyline australis is a compact evergreen tree characterized by a single trunk that supports multiple robust branches. The leaves are elongated and sword-like, densely grouped at the ends of the branches. This plant produces large clusters of small, aromatic cream-colored flowers.
About the genus
Cordyline consists of evergreen shrubs or tree-like perennials that resemble palms. These plants feature clusters or tufts of long, narrow, leathery leaves and produce fragrant, cup-shaped flowers in terminal panicles, which are succeeded by small, round berries.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Coastal
- Native to
- New Zealand
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade
- Pruning
- Not usually pruned
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or suckers
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and scale insects
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cordyline slime flux and honey fungus (rarely)