About
Cordyline banksii is a shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 3 meters, typically featuring a single stem, though it may also develop multiple stems. It produces clusters of long, arching leaves that can grow as much as 1 meter in length and are broadly lance-shaped. This plant thrives in conservatories and is best grown in gardens that offer mild and sheltered conditions.
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
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- New Zealand
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass, grow in pots of peat-free, loam-based potting compost with full light. Water moderately while in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in a warm, south-facing position and provide winter protection; wrap with biodegradable horticultural fleece or bring containers inside if very cold weather is forecast. See cordyline cultivation for further information
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, stem cuttings or removing suckers in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cordyline slime flux and honey fungus (rarely)