Cordyline is a genus consisting of about 15 species of reliable, woody flowering plants that will provide hardy winter structure and backbone to any garden. They originate from parts of Asia, Guinea, Hawaii and other Pacific Islands, but remain suitable for almost all areas in a UK garden.
They have large, attractive foliage that varies in colour and shape. These bold leaves may be deep red, bronze, purple, green or variegated pink depending on the variety. They grow in a rosette form, radiating from the central stem. In mid-summer, they usually produce multiple small white flowers and soon after, little round berries that come in purple or red.
Cordylines are easy to maintain and are rarely attacked by pests and diseases. They are pretty fully hardy, but some may require protection from prolonged hard winter.
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How big do cordylines grow?
Cordylines will grow to their maximum potential in due time depending on the variety you choose to plant and, of course, the obtainable growing conditions. This simply means their growth rate and size are determined by the species. Some grow similar to palm trees, rising several feet above the ground without branching off. At full maturity expect 6-10 metres!
Propagated stem cuttings will take about five years to get to a decent size. It will take roughly two decades to establish a trunk and finally emerge as a tree. Eventually, this plant will grow three to fifteen feet in height and will reach a spread of two to four feet on average.
Cordyline pumilio is the smallest of all native cordyline species while Cordyline australis is the tallest and also happens to grow faster than all others.
How often should cordylines be watered?
Newly planted Cordylines should be watered regularly during their first growing season. Although they are usually drought tolerant once established, you must not allow the soil to become too dry. This is because extremely dry soil will cause the tips of the cordyline leaves to turn brown.
The quantity of water depends on how dry or moist the soil is, but it is best to use a moderate amount. You must provide your plants with roughly 1 inch of water during dry periods. Be careful not to allow too much water to spill on the foliage while watering. Or better still, water in the morning so any water spilt will evaporate before nighttime. Wet leaves and cool night temperatures will increase the chances of fungal infection.
Note that excessive watering will leave your plant prone to stem or root rot so you should allow the topsoil to dry out between watering periods. On average, cordylines should not be watered more than 3 to 4 times a month.
Are cordylines okay in shade?
Although cordylines can tolerate minimal shade, the ideal location for them is an area in your garden that receives ample sunlight throughout the day. Too much shade will cause them to assume a floppy growth habit, stretching out in search of the sun. The leaves may also become pale due to decreased chlorophyll production.
Although sunny conditions are great for cordylines, it does not need direct sunlight as this can lead to the leaves losing their vibrant colour. Exposure to direct sunlight may also result in excessive loss of water through their leaves causing them to turn brown and scorch.
Among the various cordylines, the ones with variegated leaves are more likely to tolerate light shade as their rich hues are better maintained under this condition.
Can cordylines be planted outside?
Yes, cordylines can be planted outside ideally. They can be planted in the ground or in containers that will be placed outside if you prefer, but will do better in the ground. This will afford them more space to grow, allowing them to spread maximally and reach their full potential.
Planting your cordylines outside will reduce the risk of overwatering because they will periodically receive water from rainfall. They are also less likely to suffer from root rot as excess water and moisture will evaporate much more easily. Even when there is a limited water supply, their roots will continue to grow in search of some source of water. They will have access to adequate sunlight when planted outside.
Furthermore, they are subjected to the effect of shorter days resulting in more bloom and possibly seed production. Despite the many benefits of planting cordylines outside, one must remember that some varieties are not fully hardy so they will need protection during winter.
How to prune cordyline?
It is important to prune your cordyline to keep it in good shape. This is best done in spring before new growth starts to emerge. It generally involves removing old flowers (if you get them), dead leaves and any other part of the plant that is damaged using secateurs or a sharp knife.
Start from the leaves at the lower part of the plant and then work your way up. Cut the leaves as close to the main trunk as possible. Avoid pulling off the leaves as this can cause damage to the main stem.
If the plant has been severely affected by frost, you must cut back hard. They usually regrow and produce new buds either from the remaining trunk or from the ground. Some varieties may become leggy, sprouting only a few leaves at the upper part of their trunk. This will also require hard pruning.
How to overwinter cordyline?
Most cordyline species are not fully hardy. They have high water content making their crowns and trunk susceptible to frost damage. They may also suffer from bacterial slime flu if winter is too harsh. This simply means they need to be protected during winter.
You can do this by tying the leaves with natural twine or wrapping them up with horticultural fleece. Make sure the leaves are totally dry before wrapping to avoid root rot. The ones planted in containers can be moved into a cold greenhouse or to a warmer part of your garden.
If your cordyline gets damaged by frost, recovery will depend on its age and size. It will very likely reshoot from the base in summer. In due course, these shoots will develop into a fully woody multi-stem specimen.
Further Reading:
- What should I plant with Cordylines for companion planting?
- Common Cordyline Issues, Pests & Diseases – Tips to fix
- Grow Guide: How to grow, care for and buy Cordylines in the UK
Other varieties of Cordyline covered here are: Cordyline Australis Charlie Boy, Cordyline Australis Pink Passion, Cordyline Australis Pink Star, Cordyline Australis Red Star, Cordyline Australis Torbay Dazzler, Cordyline Australis Verde.
