Cordyline australis multi-stemmed

RHS Plant Profile
cabbage palm multi-stemmed

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An erect, branching evergreen tree to 8m, bearing light green, sword-shaped leaves to 70cm long at the branch tips. In summer, mature trees produce a mass of tiny, creamy-white flowers in dense clusters to 1m long

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
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)
H3
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
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
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Young plants may require winter protection in very cold areas. See cordyline cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed, stem cuttings or removing suckers in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Patio and container plants
  • Bedding

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

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