miniature cordyline

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

Miniature cordyline plants are a stylish and versatile choice for New Zealand gardeners seeking to add striking colour and architectural form to their outdoor or indoor landscapes. Compact and easy to maintain, these small-scale cordylines deliver all the drama of their larger relatives without taking over your garden beds or patio pots. Whether you are looking for vibrant foliage, hardiness, or a unique accent for small spaces, exploring miniature cordyline varieties opens up exciting options for creative planting schemes.

Cordyline Showoff

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Cordyline 'Showoff' is a vibrant, clump-forming variety renowned for its striking, variegated foliage in pink, red, and green, which adds instant impact to New Zealand gardens. Growing to around 1–1.2 metres tall, it forms a compact, tidy shape perfect for borders, containers, or accent planting. This evergreen plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Hardy to light frosts and tolerant of coastal conditions, 'Showoff' is a low-maintenance choice for year-round colour.

Buy Cordyline Showoff

From $34.43

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 2.00 m

Spread: 60 cm

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

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Tropical

Cordyline Broadsword

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Cordyline 'Broadsword' is a smaller variety of the commonly known Cabbage Tree, and features broad, bright green leaves held on a small tree. It grows with multiple, short stems that support the fantastic foliage as it reaches a height of 3 m and a width of 1.5 m. Cordyline 'Broadsword' makes for a lovely specimen and is commonly included in a mixed planting, planted around outdoor living areas, or planted to soften a bland wall. The architectural form and attractive foliage make this plant the ideal choice for a modern or tropical garden.

Buy Cordyline Broadsword

From $29.63

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Trees

Height: 3.00 m

Spread: 1.50 m

Tolerances: Coastal

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

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

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Chionochloa, Cordyline Daphniphyllum and Hosta, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, Perennials Evergreen Shrubs and Evergreen Trees.

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Why Choose a Miniature Cordyline?

If you have limited garden space, want to decorate a balcony, or wish to add a dynamic touch to a mixed perennial border, a miniature cordyline is ideal. These compact plants typically grow between 30cm and 1m tall, offering a more manageable solution than the classic towering cabbage tree. Despite their size, miniature cordyline plants feature the same bold, colourful leaves and elegant form, making them perfect focal points in pots, rockeries, or around patios.

Drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements make miniature cordyline a particularly appealing choice for busy gardeners. Once established, these hardy plants can thrive with minimal attention, rewarding you with year-round foliage colour.

Popular Types of Miniature Cordyline in New Zealand

There are several stunning varieties in the miniature cordyline category. One of the best-known options is Cordyline pumilio (Dwarf Cabbage Tree). Native to New Zealand, Cordyline pumilio (Dwarf Cabbage Tree) forms a compact clump of slender, bluish-green leaves and is highly valued for its architectural beauty. It’s an excellent choice for groundcover, mass planting, or as a specimen in a decorative container.

Another striking cultivar is Cordyline 'Raspberry Fountain', celebrated for its cascading deep burgundy foliage. This miniature cordyline variety thrives in part shade and looks fantastic in pots or as a feature plant in modern gardens. For those seeking a contemporary look, Cordyline Renegade brings bold, nearly black, strappy leaves, adding real drama to small garden spaces or entranceways.

For a slightly larger but still manageable size, consider companions like Cordyline Broadsword and Cordyline banksii (Forest Cabbage Tree), which fit compact gardens while maintaining the iconic cordyline look.

How to Plant and Care for Miniature Cordyline

Miniature cordyline plants are very adaptable. For the best results, place them in free-draining soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. They also perform well in containers with quality potting mix. Feed in spring with slow-release fertiliser to enhance foliage colour, and water during extended dry periods.

Minimal pruning is required—just remove any old or damaged leaves to keep your miniature cordyline looking its best. With a little care, these plants will provide structure and colour through every season.

Transform Your Garden with Miniature Cordyline

Whether you’re after a container plant for your deck, a unique border edging with Cordyline pumilio (Dwarf Cabbage Tree), or a colourful feature using varieties like Cordyline 'Raspberry Fountain', choosing a miniature cordyline gives you flexibility and visual impact. Explore our collection to find the perfect small cordyline for your New Zealand garden.

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.