Cordyline australis

Cabbage Tree

(53 customer reviews)

From: £32.95

The Cabbage Palm, is one of the most renowned plants indigenous to New Zealand, and has since become very popular in cultivation in the UK.

Cordyline australis typically grows as a single or multiple trunk tall tree with pale to dark grey corky bark, sporting iconic sword-shaped grey-green leaves that grow up to a metre long, and produces panicles of fragrant, sweetly perfumed white flowers in late spring.

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Origin: New Zealand
Genus: Cordyline
Species / Cultivar: australis
Common Name: Cabbage Tree
Synonym: Dracaena australis

Plant Biography

Native to New Zealand where it’s known to the Māori as ‘tī kōuka’, and grows at the margins of forests, frequently near swamps. It has historically been eaten by native New Zealanders, who bake the root or brew it into an intoxicating drink. The Māori also use parts of the plant to treat a variety of injuries and illnesses.

You may have seen Cordyline Australis with either single unbranched stems or forked branches. This is because the plant only divides into forks after its first flowering, which typically occurs at 6 to 10 years of age.

Cordyline australis
Soil: Moist but Well Drained
Soil that allows water to drain at a moderate rate, without the water pooling.
Growth Rate: Medium
Expect to see moderate growth during growing season.
Water Requirement: Medium
Once it is established, this plant is likely to only require watering during drier periods.
Maintenance: Low
Minimal skill or input needed beyond the basics, a very independent plant.
Situation: Full Sun to Part Shade
Enjoys direct sun most of the day, but tolerant of fewer sunlit hours or light dappling.
Eventual Height: 5-7m
The plant's ultimate height in typical growing conditions.
Eventual Spread: 2-3m
The plant's ultimate spread in typical growing conditions.
Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Will survive unprotected outdoors in most areas of the UK, even in the harshest winters.
Habit: Evergreen
Always in leaf throughout the year. It won't lose all its leaves at any one time.

Expert Tip

Cordyline australis' branches may fork after producing a flower stem. The flowers appear within pink tinged bracts which protect them before they open.
Care & Size Guidance

Care & Size Guidance

The Cabbage Palm can grow in a container, though it develops a taproot and thus requires a large, deep contained for best growth. Specimens grown in a container are unlikely to flower.

Planted in the ground it usually flowers (and thus forks) after about 6 to 10 years, but the right conditions can bring the flowering to 3 years of age.
Beautiful specimen of a cordyline, large and healthy ,am well impressed, was so happy to see it arrive today, thanks so much

Audrey

Beautiful specimen of a cordyline, large and healthy ,am well impressed, was so happy to see it arrive today, thanks so much

53 customer reviews for Cordyline australis

I ordered the 80/100cm Cordyline australis. It was well established, healthy and slightly bigger than anticipated. When it arrived it was well packed, made secure and all the foilage was tied up and packed to avoid causing any damage. Really pleased with this product, the service and packaging. Would order again.

Anthony Richards –

Planted in newly landscaped garden with white stone. The Cabbage tree looks great. Now cant wait to see it get bigger over time. Al the neighbours have commented how lovely it looks.

Leon –

Beautiful tree exactly as described. Arrived quickly and looks stunning outside my house.

sarah –

What a wonderful Palm lovely condition and bigger than I expected. I am extremely pleased with my purchase and the service I received could not be bettered. The Palm came wrapped very securely and I would not hesitate In purchasing from The Palm Centre again.

Carol Cooper –

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