About
Cordyline fruticosa 'Guilfoylei' is an upright, evergreen tropical shrub characterized by its elongated, strap-like leaves that display vibrant streaks of red, pink, and white. During the summer months, it can bloom with loose clusters of white flowers, which are later succeeded by red berries. This plant serves well as a houseplant or in conservatories, particularly in cooler regions.
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
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow as a house or conservatory plant in cool climates, using a peat-free, loam-based compost. Position in full light with protection from very hot summer sun. Feed monthly during the growing season using a balanced liquid fertiliser. See houseplant cultivation for further information
- Pruning
- No pruning required, although weak stems can be shortened to 15cm in spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings or by removing suckers in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips, scale insects and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cordyline slime flux and honey fungus (rarely)