Cordyline

( KOR - dee - line )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen, palm-like shrubs and trees is filled with plants that make great accent plants for gardens, and often have brightly colored foliage. These plants are related to Yucca, and are wonderful pool-area plants. These are often sold under the genus name Dracaena, and are commonly called Ti Plant, Palm Lily, Cabbage Palm, Giant Dracaena, and Torbay Palm. Use Cordylines as dramatic focal points in the landscape, to add foliage color to mixed beds and borders, or in tropical or modern designs. Take care when planting Cordylines in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

Cordyline Species and Varietals

The genus Cordyline is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae and includes 24 distinct species. The genus name is derived from the Greek word kordyle, which means 'club', a reference to the plants' enlarged underground rhizome roots. The best growing zones for Cordyline vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Cordyline australis (Dracaena australis) (Cabbage Tree, New Zealand Cabbage Tree, Cabbage Palm, Giant Dracaena, Ti Kouka, Cornish Palm)
This species is best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 5, 8-11, 14-24, H1 and H2 and is native to New Zealand. These are hardy Cordylines, and can take temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. They form narrow sprays of 3-foot long leaves with lower leaves that droop. When mature, they will form trees that can reach up to 20-30 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide with a high-branching habit. Flowers appear in springtime, are fragrant, and bloom in clusters. This species is considered invasive in coastal California. Varieties of this species are listed and described below:

'Albertii'
With multicolored leaves.

'Atropurpurea'
(Bronze Dracaena)
With bronzey-red leaves.

'Charlie Boy'
With dark burgundy leaves that have vibrant pink edges.

'Dark Star'
With dark reddish-bronze foliage.

'Jive'
Dark green leaves with cream-colored stripes.

'Pink Champagne'
More compact than the species, with narrow leaves edged with white, blushed with pink at the base.

'Pink Passion'
Dark grey-purple foliage with neon pink margins.

'Pink Stripe'
With bronze-red leaves that have pink margins.

'Purple Tower'
Deep plum-purple foliage.

'Red Sensation'
Dark purplish-red leaves.

'Red Star'
With purple-red foliage.

'Sunrise'
This variety has dark red-pink leaves with bright pink margins.

'Sundance'
With green leaves that have pink midribs.

'Southern Splendor'
With dark green leaves that have bright pink edges.

'Torbay Dazzler'
Green leaves have creamy margins.

Cordyline baueri (Bauer's Cabbage Tree, Bauer's Cordyline, Bauer's Dracaena)
Best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, and 14-24, this species reaches 8-10 feet tall and 3 feet wide with deep purple-red leaves that reach 2 feet in length. Flowers are fragrant, white, and bloom all summertime. This species needs full sun and moderate waterings to perform well.

Cordyline spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Cordyline)
This group of Cordyline varieties, some of which have questionable parentage, form clumps and produce fragrant white or pale lilac flowers in summertime. These plants are wonderful for adding height and interest to potted plants. Popular varieties include those listed below.

'Choc Mint'
Chocolate-toned leaves with green edges.

'Electric Pink'
Reaches 4-5 feet tall and has dark maroon, narrow leaves edged in bright pink.

'Electric Star'
With an upright habit and narrow, chocolate-brown leaves.

'Festival Grass'
Forms a clump of fountain-like foliage 2-3 feet tall and just as wide. Burgundy leaves are glossy and reach 2-3 feet long.

'Kiwi'
With striking, variegated green, cream, and pink foliage.

'Pink Diamond'
With pink-edged foliage.

'Renegade'
Tight foliage clump 2 feet tall and as wide; dark purple-black leaves.

Cordyline indivisa (Blue Dracaena, Mountain Cabbage Tree, Bush Flax, Toi)
This species does well in USDA hardiness zones zones 16, 17 and 20-24; they are native to New Zealand and are hardy down to 26 degrees Fahrenheit. The trunk of this plant grows up to 25 feet tall and is topped with an 8-10 foot wide mass of stiff foliage. Summer flowers are white and form in 4 foot long clusters. This species can tolerate seaside conditions. Provide with full sun and moderate amounts of water.

Cordyline stricta (Slender Palm Lily, Narrow-Leaved Palm Lily)
This species is native to Australia, and is hardy down to 26 degrees Fahrenheit. It does well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 13, 16, 17, 20-24, H1 and H2. Stems clustered at the base hold 2-foot long, dark green leaves with hints of purple. Springtime brings fragrant lavender flowers that form in large branched clusters. These plants reach 15 feet tall and 6 feet wide, but can be kept much smaller if canes are cut to the ground regularly. Great in-ground or in containers either inside or outdoors. This species needs some shade, especially in areas with hot afternoon temperatures. Provide regular waterings.

Caring for Cordyline

Take care when planting Cordyine in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to pets and humans if ingested. Plant Cordylines in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best foliage color. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils, but do not like to have their roots in standing water. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. If plants are becoming leggy and foliage is concentrated too much towards the top of stems, main branches can be cut back in mid-spring to encourage a bushier habit to form. These plants can survive for between 5 and 30 years in the landscape before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Cordyline in Containers
Cordyline shrubs and trees are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Cordyline plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Cordyline plants are best propagated via cuttings. To propagate your Cabbage Plant or Ti Plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Cordyline by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In late summer or early fall, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Cut one or more tip portion(s) of a branch. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. It should be kept in warm, sunny conditions in a protected area. Water whenever the soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, the cutting should be rooted. New growth indicates the formation of roots.
Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.

Problems and Pests

Cordyline plants are considered invasive pests in some regions; check with local authorities before planting and see the species descriptions above for more information. Cordylines can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: