Overview
Cordyline fruticosa is a tufted trees in the genus Cordyline, part of the Asparagaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Cordyline fruticosa grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6, H7. Suggested uses include architectural, coastal and low maintenance.
About
Cordyline fruticosa is an evergreen flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. It is known by a wide variety of common names, including ti plant, palm lily, and cabbage palm. The plant has been cultivated in Asia and Oceania, with a number of uses including food and traditional medicine. It is of great cultural importance to the traditional inhabitants of the Pacific Islands and Maritime Southeast Asia. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS H6). It works well for architectural, coastal and low maintenance. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cordyline fruticosa
About the genus
Cordyline is a genus of about 24 species of woody monocotyledonous flowering plants in family Asparagaceae, subfamily Lomandroideae. The subfamily has previously been treated as a separate family Laxmanniaceae, or Lomandraceae. Other authors have placed the genus in the Agavaceae.
Wikipedia contributors, "Cordyline", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cordyline
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Cordyline
- 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, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6, H7
Plant details
Cordyline fruticosa size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Coastal, Low Maintenance
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Cordyline fruticosa
- Propagation
- Seed, Suckers
- Pest resistance
- Glasshouse red spider mite, Scale insects
- Disease resistance
- Cordyline slime flux, Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Cordyline fruticosa?
Cordyline fruticosa prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Cordyline fruticosa need?
Cordyline fruticosa is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Cordyline fruticosa hardy in the UK?
Cordyline fruticosa has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Cordyline fruticosa?
Seed, Suckers.