Cordyline banksii

RHS Plant Profile
forest cabbage tree

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A single-stemmed, or sometimes multi-stemmed shrub or small tree to 3m, producing tufts of broadly lance-shaped, arching leaves to 1m long. Best suited to growing in a conservatory in all but the mildest and most sheltered gardens

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
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

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
Correct
Plant Range
New Zealand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in pots of peat-free, loam-based potting compost with full light. Water moderately while in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in a warm, south-facing position and provide winter protection; wrap with biodegradable horticultural fleece or bring containers inside if very cold weather is forecast. 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
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

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