Cabbage trees (Cordyline australis) are iconic natives of New Zealand, known for their striking foliage and ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions. Whether you’re planting one as a feature or part of a native landscape, understanding how to care for cabbage trees is essential. This guide covers everything from planting to maintenance, helping you grow strong, healthy trees that bring beauty and resilience to your garden.
Caring for Cabbage Trees is about making sure the plants are thriving. Our plant care articles provide the necessary details to give you the greatest chance of success. Afterall, there is nothing worse than putting the effort into planting for them to fail. Therefore, follow our advice and give yourself the best chance of success no matter if they are being grown in the soil or in pots.
The most important part starts with planting, and our article, How To Plant A Cabbage Tree, provides sound advice on how to do this properly. So, let’s now assume your plant is growing well and you want to keep it that way!
Winter is the perfect time for mulching your plants. Organic matter such as compost or sheep pellets should be spread liberally around the plants and then overlaid with mulch. The Plant Company has three very good options for mulch. The first is coco fibre matting which is made from the husks of coconuts. The second is Earth Mat which is made from recycled paper. Both of these break down to become part of the soil within two years. The third is black plastic matting which will last 20 years or more. Whichever mulch is used, The Plant Company recommend stones, bark chip, or other similar products be spread over top for aesthetic purposes. The Plant Company does not recommend adding fertiliser during winter as this is better applied in spring so less is wasted. However, adding organic matter such as compost is quite okay.
Spring is the perfect time for fertilising the plants as they start to bounce into life. The Plant Company has fertilisers which have been specially blended for different plants and in this instance, our Native Plant Fertiliser will give them the correct boost and keep them fed for 12-months. A suitable alternative is our organic fertiliser which will also keep them well fed but they will require a secondary application in autumn.
Summer is when the plants need regular watering and this should be undertaken every second or third day on the hottest days. Plants that are establishing need particular attention as their root system will not have penetrated deep enough to secure consistent moisture yet.
Caring for Cabbage Tree in autumn is about keeping the plants healthy. Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken during spring, summer, and autumn if you have time, but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have already been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser won’t hurt.
Plants should be checked for pest or disease issues during spring, summer, and autumn. If anything is looking unusual, refer to our articles under Cabbage Tree Problems.
Cordylines are generally considered to be low-maintenance plants. They are tolerant of a range of conditions, including different soil types, climates, and light levels. They also require relatively little water and fertiliser. Here are some tips for caring for cordylines:
Cabbage trees do have problems and disease issues from time to time. Therefore, it is important to understand the underlying issue(s) and have the remedies to fix the problem. The Plant Company have produced this series of articles to help you in the quest for answers to address common problems and disease.
The cabbage tree moth (Epiphryne verriculata) is a fascinating insect native to New Zealand and a key part of the cabbage tree ecosystem, even though some may see it as a pest! Some of its characteristics include:
Appearance:
Life Cycle:
Role in the Ecosystem:
The cabbage tree moth is a well-adapted insect that plays a role in the delicate balance of the New Zealand ecosystem. Its impressive camouflage and nocturnal habits make it a rather cryptic creature, but it's an important part of the story of the iconic cabbage tree.
There can be many reasons why a Cabbage Tree begins to die and it is often an iterative process to determine why. The most common reasons are presented below and organised from most likely to least likely based on The Plant Company's experience.
Choosing a Cordyline variety that works for you can be challenging given the sheer number that are available. Working through the different varieties, their sizes and preferences, and so on, can take considerable time. The Plant Company’s series of short articles aims to offer concise and easy to follow advice and recommendations so you can determine the variety for your needs.
Yes, there are many different types of Cordyline plants! Cordyline is a genus of flowering plants that are native to warm climates of eastern Asia, Malesia, Australasia, and the Pacific Ocean Islands. There are over 20 species of Cordylines, but some of the most popular ones include:
These are just a few of the many different types of Cordyline plants available and you are most welcome to check out The Plant Company’s range of Cordyline plants.
Cordyline banksii, also known as the forest cabbage tree or tī ngahere, is a tree endemic to New Zealand. It is a sparingly branched tree that can grow up to 4 metres (13 ft) tall. Some further details include:
Cordyline banksii is not typically cultivated or used for any commercial purposes. However, it is an important part of the New Zealand forest ecosystem, providing food and habitat for native birds and insects. The fruit is also eaten by some birds, such as kereru (New Zealand wood pigeon).
Cordyline 'Broadsword' is a beautiful cultivar of the Cordyline australis, also known as the cabbage tree or Ti Kouka. It's a popular choice for gardens due to its compact size and attractive foliage.
Features:
Uses:
Planting and Care:
Cordyline 'Broadsword' is a versatile and easy-to-care-for plant that adds a touch of the tropics to any garden. With its beautiful foliage and compact size, it's a great choice for gardens of all sizes.
Cordyline fruticosa, also commonly known as the Ti plant, is a popular houseplant and landscaping shrub due to its vibrant and colourful foliage. Some of its key characteristics include:
Overall, Cordyline fruticosa is a beautiful and relatively low-maintenance plant with stunning foliage. With proper care, it can thrive indoors or outdoors in warm climates, adding a touch of the tropics to your space. Just remember to protect it from cold drafts and excessive sunlight.
The list of Cordyline that The Plant Company has cataloged, worked on, propagated, included in garden designs, and marketed is extensive. Our database of Cordyline varieties is listed below:
Cordyline indivisa, also known as the mountain cabbage tree or broad-leaved cabbage tree is endemic to New Zealand. Unlike the more common cabbage tree (Cordyline australis), it's typically single-trunked and grows to a smaller height of 4-8 metres (13-26 ft) tall. Some further characteristics include:
Cordyline indivisais not widely grown but it can be a stunning addition to a large garden with the space to accommodate its mature size. It requires a position with full sun and a well-drained soil, and good levels of soil moisture while it establishes. It may require some protection from severe frosts in colder regions.
Cordyline stricta 'Showoff' is a stunning cultivar known for its vibrant foliage and compact form, making it a popular choice for gardens and containers. Here are some of its key features:
Uses:
Planting and Care:
Overall, Cordyline stricta 'Showoff' is a low-maintenance plant that offers year-round interest with its vibrant foliage. Its compact size and preference for partial shade make it a versatile option for various garden settings. Just remember to provide it with the right conditions and enjoy its tropical flair!
Cordyline terminalis is a synonym for Cordyline fruticosa, commonly known as the Ti plant. Cordyline terminalis is no longer the preferred scientific classification.
Cordyline australis, also known as the cabbage tree, is a popular plant in New Zealand. There are many different varieties of Cordyline available, each with its own unique characteristics. A few of the most popular ones include:
These are just a few of the many popular Cordyline australis varieties available and you are welcome to check out our range of Cordylines.
The fastest growing Cordyline is generally considered to be Cordyline australis, also commonly known as the cabbage tree. Under favourable conditions, these trees can grow up to 30 cm per year and some reports suggest they can grow at one metre per year once established in ideal conditions.
Providing the best fertiliser for Cabbage Trees is vital for ensuring the plants thrive. The correct fertiliser depends on whether the plant is grown in a pot or in soil, and getting this wrong can be disastrous for your plants. Our fertiliser articles provide the best advice about fertiliser for Cordyline so you can achieve the amazing results you are after.
Cabbage Trees grown in containers require different fertiliser to those grown outdoors in soil. In this instance the correct fertiliser to use is either container plant fertiliser or fertiliser tablets. Each of these will provide safe, sustained, and complete nutrition to the plant for the next 12-months. Using other types of fertilisers can be detrimental to the plant and may result in plant injury or death.
Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if container plant fertiliser or fertiliser tablets have been used. If you think the plant needs an extra boost or has some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and lush as the nutrition is right where the plant needs it.
Cabbage Trees require feeding to keep them growing optimally. The Plant Company’s Native Plant Fertiliser has been blended to give plants the boost they need and then sustained nutrition for the next 12 months. It is perfect for Cabbage Trees.
We recommend the fertiliser is applied to the soil surface in spring just as the plants start to grow actively. More importantly, we advise that no fertiliser is placed in the hole at planting, but rather spread around the soil surface so it can wash through the roots as it releases. The Plant Company’s Native Plant Fertiliser ensures that nutrients remain in the soil around the plant rather than being lost through the soil profile to where the plant cannot reach it. This also applies to plants grown on sandy soils. The Plant Company’s Native Plant Fertiliser is therefore very environmentally friendly and longer lasting than most other products in the market.
Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if Native Plant Fertiliser has been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have poor colouring, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and lush.
This series of articles answers many of the frequently asked questions about Cabbage Trees, such as how fast they grow, their hardiness, and more!
Cabbage trees (Cordyline australis) are not automatically protected in Auckland. There are specific council rules that determine if a tree is protected, and these generally focus on the location of the tree rather than the species. For instance, trees near waterways or on the Hauraki Gulf Islands may be protected even if they are not a specifically listed species like kauri or pohutukawa.
Cordylines are native to New Zealand. There are three species of cordyline endemic to New Zealand: Cordyline australis (cabbage tree), Cordyline banksii (banksia cordyline), and Cordyline pumilio (mountain cabbage tree). They are all an important part of the New Zealand landscape and ecosystem. They provide food and shelter for birds, lizards, and insects.
Cordylines are also popular ornamental plants in New Zealand and around the world. They are known for their attractive foliage, flowers, and fruits. Cordylines can be used in a variety of garden settings, including as single specimens, in groups, or used to create hedges and screens.
Whether you can cut down a cabbage tree in Christchurch depends on the specific situation as provided below:
If you are still in doubt, Contact Christchurch City Council. They can provide clear and up-to-date information based on your situation.
Cabbage tree wood can be burnt. It is known to burn for extended periods and provide consistent heat. The wood has minimal sap, which can be a positive as it burns cleaner with less smoke. It does, however, take a good bed of embers to get it going initially.
Yes, Cabbage Tree flowers have a fragrance. Their sweet perfume attracts large numbers of insects for pollination and the scent is often described as both sweet and elegant. However, scent perception can be subjective and some have described it as strong or even resembling cat urine! If you are near a flowering cabbage tree, you can judge for yourself.
Cabbage tree leaves are slower to decompose compared to many other types of leaves. This is due to cabbage tree leaves containing natural oils and waxy substances that make them resistant to breakdown by bacteria and fungi. They are also tough and fibrous which makes them more difficult to decompose.
Cordylines are generally considered to be medium-growing plants. They typically grow at a rate of 30-50 cm per year. However, the growth rate of Cordylines can vary depending on several factors, including the species, the climate, and the soil conditions. Cordyline australis is the fasting growing species and can tolerate cooler climates and poor soil.
Cabbage trees (Cordyline australis) are considered relatively fast-growing for their eventual size. During the early years they typically grow at 30 cm per year once established. This means a young tree can reach a height of 1-1.5 m within the first few years. However, their growth rate slows down as they mature. They can eventually reach heights of 12 to 20 m, but this can take hundreds of years. The oldest known cabbage tree is estimated to be around 400 years old!
Cordyline plants can last for many years, with some species living for over 100 years. The lifespan of a Cordyline plant will vary depending on the species, climate, and growing conditions. The better it grows and the healthier the plant, the longer it will grow.
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that cutting down a Cabbage Tree brings bad luck. This belief is simply superstition. If you are considering cutting down a cabbage tree, the decision should be based on practical reasons such as:
Cutting down Cabbage Trees (Cordyline australis) in New Zealand isn't illegal nationwide, but there are some regulations to consider:
The cabbage tree, known as Ti Kouka in Maori, was a versatile and important resource for Maori people. They used nearly every part of the tree for various purposes:
Food:
Fibre:
Medicine (Rongoa):
Other uses:
The cabbage tree was a vital part of Maori life, providing sustenance, shelter, tools, and medicine. Its significance is reflected in its traditional Maori name, Ti Kouka, which translates to "spineless tree" highlighting its usefulness and lack of thorns.
There are two main things a flowering cabbage tree can indicate:
"Ti Kouka" is the Maori name for the Cordyline australis, also commonly known as the cabbage tree. It literally translates to:
So, "Ti Kouka" essentially means "spineless tree" which accurately describes the cabbage tree.
The Cabbage tree's Maori name is Ti Kouka.
There isn't a single "Maori tree" as such. Maori people have traditionally used a variety of native New Zealand trees for food, medicine, building materials, and cultural purposes. However, the Cabbage tree (Cordyline australis), known in Maori as Ti Kouka, holds particular significance.
Cabbage tree leaves, while tough and slow to decompose, they do make a highly effective mulch. Laying the leaves around plants helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and add organic matter to the soil over time. They can also be added to the compost pile where they will breakdown with time. It's best to mix them with other organic materials like green waste and kitchen scraps to create a more balanced composting environment for faster breakdown.
Cabbage trees (Cordyline australis) flower in late spring/early summer. The trees typically flower when they reach maturity, which can be between six and ten years old. Flowering generally lasts for four to six weeks.
Cordylines are native to the western Pacific Ocean region, from New Zealand, eastern Australia, southeastern Asia, and Polynesia, with one species found in southeastern South America. Some further detail:
Establishing Cabbage Trees (Cordyline australis) and getting them to grow well is generally easy when you get a few of the basics right. This involves planting them in the right soil type, choosing the most ideal planting position, and ensuring the plants have the essentials to thrive. The Plant Company has the right advice to ensure success when you are growing Cabbage Trees.
Cordylines generally prefer full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade. In fact, some species of cordylines, such as Cordyline fruticosa, may perform better in partial shade, especially in hot climates. However, it is important to note that cordylines that are grown in too much shade may become leggy and become less aesthetic overall.
Choose a full sun position or partial shade position with good drainage for your Cabbage Tree. The hole should be dug to at least 50-75% deeper and wider than the container the plant is currently growing in. A planting spade makes the hole digging a lot easier. The Plant Company recommends incorporating compost or sheep pellets into the soil to provide additional organic material, but this is not essential. Do not put fertiliser in the bottom of the hole, rather spread that on the soil surface after planting, and preferably do this when the plant is actively growing in spring.
Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or by cutting the bag. We recommend cutting the bag, especially for larger grade plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. If the roots are bound up, you can tease them apart if you want but this is not essential. The Plant Company does not advise cutting through roots, even if the plant is rootbound, as that injures the plant.
Now place the plant in the hole and make sure it is level with the soil surface before filling in around it. If it is above the soil surface, dig more out. If it is below, put in more soil and retest the level. Once the plant is set level with the soil surface, add more soil gradually and firm it around the plant using gentle pressure as you go. Scatter Native Plant Fertiliser across the soil surface after planting and then give the plant a good watering.
Decisions about when to trim a Cabbage Tree, how to cut them back and how hard, and even how to do this task can be daunting for the novice gardener. The Plant Company have produced this series of articles to provide advice for how to trim Cabbage Trees so you can manicure your plants with confidence and success.
Cabbage trees (Cordyline australis) generally require minimal pruning, though some pruning can be beneficial to control the size of the tree, shape the canopy, and remove any dead or diseased branches. Any pruning should be undertaken when the plant is actively growing in summer. If you cut off a healthy stem, it will generally sprout new shoots and grow away well. Diseased or poorly stems may not resprout, however.
The Plant Company recommends that cabbage trees are first pruned to contain their size to the desired height and width by cutting the stems. Secondly, the tree is shaped as desired, again by cutting through the stems. Finally, remove weak or diseased stems. The final step is to remove any dead leaves to keep the plant tidy.
Cutting the top off a Cordyline can have several different consequences, depending on various factors like the severity of the cut, the time of year, and the specific Cordyline variety. The plant will initially experience shock and may stop growing for a short period. You might see some sap leaking from the cut stem, but this is usually not a major concern. The cut will leave a scar on the stem, which is natural and doesn't necessarily affect the plant's health.
In most cases, cutting the top off a Cordyline will trigger new growth. This can lead to bushier growth as the plant produces multiple new shoots from the stem or base. Some Cordylines may branch out from the cut point, creating a more tree-like structure. Depending on the severity of the cut, the plant may take some time to regain its original size.
Cordyline plants are very resilient and can often regrow after being cut back. In fact, cutting them back can even be beneficial for the plant, encouraging bushier growth and promoting new shoots. Here are some things to keep in mind when cutting back a Cordyline:
If you follow these tips, your Cordyline should recover from being cut back and start growing new shoots within a few weeks.
Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.
Join our community of happy customers.
