About

Cordyline 'Purple Tower' is an upright evergreen reaching heights of up to 4 meters. It features long, dark purple-red, sword-like leaves that can grow up to 70 centimeters. During the summer months, established specimens produce clusters of small, creamy-white flowers that can extend up to 80 centimeters. This plant serves well in containers when young and develops into a prominent architectural feature as it matures.

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
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H3

Plant details

Plant type
Trees
Habit
Tufted
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
2.5-4 metres
Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Young plants may require winter protection in very cold areas. See cordyline cultivation for further information
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by 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)