About
Cordyline pumilio is a compact evergreen shrub that reaches up to 1 meter in height, characterized by its clumping growth of slender, grass-like foliage. During the summer months, it bears arching clusters of small, star-shaped flowers that can be white or pale pink. Unlike many other members of the Cordyline genus, this variety does not develop a trunk.
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
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Coastal
- Native to
- New Zealand
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in any soil in sun or partial shade; C. pumilo is tolerant of poor soils and exposed situations, and is drought tolerant once established
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cordyline slime flux and honey fungus (rarely)