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Cordyline australis (Cabbage tree)
1 hour care
per year
per year
6m
Max height
Max height
4m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cordyline australis
Other names
Cabbage tree, Palm lily, Cabbage palm, New Zealand cabbage palm, New Zealand dragon plant, Torbay palm
Genus
Cordyline Cordyline
Species
C. australis - C. australis is a architectural, palm-like, evergreen tree with long, sword-shaped, leathery leaves and large panicles of fragrant, creamy flowers in summer.
Cordyline australis is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are highly scented.
Tree shape
Single stemmed palm, cycad or tree
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Insignificant or absent, Cream in Summer
Foliage
Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Scale insects Glasshouse red spider mite , Scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Propagation methods
Seed, Suckers
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Where to grow
Cordyline australis (Cabbage tree) will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 4m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Coastal, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Sub-Tropical, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in moist, free-draining soil in full sun or light shade, in a sheltered position.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Cordyline australis
Other names
Cabbage tree, Palm lily, Cabbage palm, New Zealand cabbage palm, New Zealand dragon plant, Torbay palm
Genus
Cordyline Cordyline
Species
C. australis - C. australis is a architectural, palm-like, evergreen tree with long, sword-shaped, leathery leaves and large panicles of fragrant, creamy flowers in summer.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are highly scented.
Tree shape
Single stemmed palm, cycad or tree
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent, Cream in Summer
Foliage
Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Propagation methods
Seed, Suckers
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Cordyline australis (Cabbage tree) will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 4m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Coastal, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Sub-Tropical, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in moist, free-draining soil in full sun or light shade, in a sheltered position.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10
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| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
How can I stop my cordyline growing!
New shoots on 'dead' frost damaged tree
Brown spots. Is my palm sick?
Disease
prune cordyline australis
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