Cordyline (Austral dragon lily) – planting and care

Scientific name: Cordyline australis

Family: Asparagaceae (Asparagus family)

With its long, sword-shaped leaves, Cordyline is a plant that adds character to the balcony, terrace, or garden during the delightful, warm months of the year. Indoors, it can bring a tropical vibe all year round. The color of the leaves varies depending on the variety, from classic green to pink, burgundy, and variegated/striped types.

Cordyline can be used as both an indoor and outdoor plant. Most commonly, it's placed outside during the summer, almost like a summer annual. If it's to survive more than one season here in our chilly Nordic climate, it must be overwintered indoors — Cordyline does not tolerate frost.

Rule number one if you want to help your plant survive the winter is to bring it indoors before the frost arrives in autumn.

The plant overwinters best in a cool, bright room, but it can also be kept as a regular houseplant in the living room during the winter months. The warmer the environment, the more light and water it will need. If it’s kept cool (around 10–15°C), be careful not to overwater—just a small splash once a month may be enough.

Once the risk of frost has passed, you can move the plant back outside.

TIP! With its beautiful, long lance-shaped leaves, Cordyline looks great planted outdoors together with summer flowers in a large pot.

The cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) is an easy-care plant that’s simple to succeed with. 

• Placement and light
  Thrives best in sun to partial shade. The plant needs plenty of light. Green varieties usually tolerate direct sunlight best, while those with colored leaves prefer indirect sunlight. 
• Soil
  Like most Mediterranean plants, Cordyline prefers well-drained soil, such as Mediterranean potting mix mixed with perlite. 
• Watering
  Can tolerate slight drying, but should not dry out completely. Water when the pot feels light. It’s often better to let it soak up lukewarm water from the bottom rather than watering from the top. The plant needs much more water in summer than in winter. 
• Fertilizer
  Doesn’t require a lot of nutrients to stay healthy, but you can add some regular flower fertilizer during the summer season. Let it rest during the winter.

• Cordyline ‘Verde’
  The common green variety of the cabbage tree, featuring the characteristic long, green leaves.
• Coryline 'Red Star'
  A dramatic and unique variety with dark red-brown shades in the leaves. Great as a contrast plant.
• Cordyline 'Variegata'
  A striking variety with leaves in shades of cream-white and green. Grows a little slower than its completely green relatives.
• Cordyline 'Pink Passion'
  An eye-catching variety with leaves in vibrant pink and burgundy shades.

• Cordyline australis originally comes from New Zealand but is now widely used as both an indoor and outdoor plant in various parts of the world.
• Older specimens can produce small, fragrant flowers that bees highly appreciate, followed by berries that birds enjoy.
• The cordyline we know has only one crown of leaves, but in its native habitat, the plant can grow into a tree up to 20 meters tall. New shoots sprout from the trunk, and these develop into branches with their own crowns of leaves.

Tips from the expert:

Jennie – gardener with a passion for garden design and fruit trees. Apple trees are her favorite!

You are here:

• Tips and tricks - Plant guides