Cordyline fruticosa 'Guilfoylei'

RHS Plant Profile
cabbage palm 'Guilfoylei'

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Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

An erect, evergreen, tropical shrub with strongly tapered, strap-shaped leaves streaked red, pink and white. In summer it may produce loose clusters of white flowers, followed by red berries. A good houseplant or conservatory plant in cool climates.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Cordyline are palm-like evergreen shrubs or tree-like perennials, with rosettes or tufts of linear or anrrowly lance-shaped, leathery leaves, and terminal panicles of fragrant, cup-shaped flowers followed by small. spherical berries
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as a house or conservatory plant in cool climates, using a peat-free, loam-based compost. Position in full light with protection from very hot summer sun. Feed monthly during the growing season using a balanced liquid fertiliser. See houseplant cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings or by removing suckers in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required, although weak stems can be shortened to 15cm in spring

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips, scale insects and mealybugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to cordyline slime flux and honey fungus (rarely)