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cordyline plant varieties

Cordyline plant varieties are a wonderful choice for New Zealand gardens, offering exotic foliage, vibrant colours, and year-round interest. Whether you're aiming for attractive landscaping, low-maintenance borders, or a touch of dramatic flair, cordylines are an easy way to achieve visual impact. This page explores popular cordyline plant varieties, their uses, and how to select the right type for your garden. With helpful tips and links to individual plants, you’ll discover why cordylines are such a favourite for Kiwi gardeners.

Cordyline stricta

Cordyline stricta, commonly known as the Slender Palm Lily, features narrow, strap like, green leaves held on upright stems which gives a very lush appearance. It typically grows to 3 m tall and spreads 2 m wide. Cordyline stricta is a great plant for adding height to plantings in narrow or confined spaces, maintaining in a container, including in tropical plantings, adding as an interesting feature to mixed plantings, or for planting around living areas.

Buy Cordyline stricta

From $43.13

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Trees

Height: 3.00 m

Spread: 2.00 m

Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern, Tropical

Cordyline Electric Star

Cordyline 'Electric Star' is a vibrant evergreen plant admired for its bold mix of green, cream, and pink tones that create striking year round colour in New Zealand gardens. The upright growth habit and glossy strap like foliage deliver strong architectural structure in modern and tropical inspired landscapes. Hardy and eye catching, this variety is perfect for feature planting, borders, and large containers.

Buy Cordyline Electric Star

From $29.63

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.50 m

Spread: 90 cm

Tolerances: Coastal

Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Specimen

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock

Why Choose Cordyline Plant Varieties?

Cordylines are incredibly versatile. Their striking, often colourful leaves can add structure and interest to garden beds, pots, and outdoor living spaces. Cordyline plant varieties are hardy, drought-tolerant, and thrive in most regions of New Zealand. Whether you love vibrant reds, bold pinks, or subtle greens, there’s a cordyline to suit every style. These plants also work well in coastal gardens, urban backyards, or as feature plants in large landscaping projects.

Popular Cordyline Varieties in New Zealand

With so many cordyline plant varieties available, choosing the right one is easy once you know the features and colours of each. Below are some standout cordylines you might consider:

Cordyline Showoff: This eye-catching variety is prized for its bold, colourful foliage and compact habit. Perfect for pots, mixed borders, or contemporary garden designs, Cordyline Showoff adds instant wow factor.
Cordyline 'Can Can': If you love dramatic reds and soft pinks, Cordyline 'Can Can' will instantly lift your garden with its vibrant hues. This variety is ideal for creating colourful focal points in small spaces.
Cordyline Red Star: For a classic New Zealand look, Cordyline Red Star offers deep burgundy leaves and a strong architectural shape. It pairs well with native grasses and other flaxes for a truly local feel.
Cordyline albertii: Unique for its variegated foliage, Cordyline albertii stands out with splashes of cream and green. It’s a great choice for lightening up shaded areas or adding interest to mixed plantings.
Cordyline 'Raspberry Fountain': If bright, cascading foliage is your style, Cordyline 'Raspberry Fountain' delivers with striking pinks and reds. The weeping form makes it a popular option for statement plantings.

How to Use Cordyline Plant Varieties in Your Garden

Cordyline plant varieties fit into a wide range of outdoor settings. Use them as standalone features, cluster several for a tropical vibe, or combine with native plants and flaxes for a contemporary Kiwi look. Their colourful leaves can help define pathways, highlight corners, or add texture to otherwise plain spaces. Many cordylines adapt well to pots or containers, so you can enjoy their beauty on patios and decks.

Care Tips for Cordyline Plants

Most cordyline plant varieties prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They’re tolerant of wind, coastal conditions, and even dry spells. To keep foliage vibrant, feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring and remove spent leaves as needed. Mulching helps retain moisture, and while cordylines are generally low-maintenance, occasional watering in dry seasons will keep them lush.

Discover Cordyline Plant Varieties for Your Garden

With so many cordyline plant varieties to choose from, there's something for every space and style. Browse our selection and give your garden a vibrant, easy-care boost that will last all year.

Contact us

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.