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purple cordyline

If you're on the hunt for dramatic colour and bold structure for your garden, a purple cordyline could be the showstopper you're searching for. These striking architectural plants, celebrated for their richly coloured, sword-like foliage, bring year-round vibrancy with shades that range from deep burgundy to vibrant violet. Purple cordylines are not only a favourite among New Zealand gardeners for their low-maintenance nature, but also their ability to provide instant impact in borders, containers, and landscape designs.

Cordyline australis trees growing as a cluster.

Cordyline australis

5 from 3 customers

Cordyline australis, also known as the Cabbage Tree or tī kōuka, is a hardy and iconic New Zealand native. It features long, sword-like green leaves and scented spring flowers that attract birds. Ideal for coastal, rural, and urban landscapes, this low-maintenance tree adds height, texture, and native charm to any garden.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 8.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Riparian
Cordyline australis albertii plants with variegated foliage.

Cordyline albertii

Cordyline albertii (Variegated Cabbage Tree) is a striking evergreen tree admired for its bold green leaves edged with creamy white variegation. This eye catching form adds brightness and structure to New Zealand gardens while maintaining a strong architectural presence.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 6.50 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Tropical
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A stunning Cordyline 'Salsa' plant with pink and purple striped foliage.
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Cordyline 'Salsa' is a striking evergreen foliage plant valued for its colourful, sword shaped leaves and strong architectural form. The vibrant...

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Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' specimen tree.
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Cordyline 'Midnight Star'

Cordyline 'Midnight Star' is a bold evergreen plant admired for its deep dark purple foliage that adds dramatic contrast to New Zealand gardens year...

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Cordyline 'Purple Tower'

Cordyline 'Purple Tower' is a bold evergreen plant admired for its tall upright form and deep purple foliage. The strong vertical growth and rich...

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Cordyline 'Purple Prince'

Cordyline 'Purple Prince' is a bold evergreen plant admired for its rich deep purple foliage and strong upright form. The glossy strap like leaves...

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Cordyline 'Renegade' plants in a border planting.
Cordyline 'Renegade'

Cordyline 'Renegade' is a compact, clump-forming variety known for its rich, dark purple to nearly black foliage, which adds bold contrast to...

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Cordyline australis 'purpurea' plant with purple foliage.
Cordyline australis 'Purpurea' (Purple Cabbage Tree)

Cordyline australis 'Purpurea' is a striking New Zealand native tree prized for its bold, sword like foliage in deep purple tones. This architectural...

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Cordyline bauera plants with purple foliage.
Cordyline baueri

Cordyline baueri is an impressive evergreen tree valued for its bold tropical appearance and broad glossy green leaves. Native to coastal regions, it...

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Cordyline 'Cardinal' plant with rich-purple leaves.
Cordyline 'Cardinal'

Cordyline 'Cardinal' is a striking evergreen shrub prized for its rich burgundy red foliage that adds bold colour to New Zealand gardens year round...

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Cordyline 'Burgundy Spire' plants in garden with purple foliage.
Cordyline 'Burgundy Spire'

Cordyline 'Burgundy Spire' is a striking evergreen plant admired for its deep burgundy foliage and tall slender form. The rich colour and strong...

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Cordyline Superstar

Cordyline Superstar is a striking evergreen plant admired for its broad glossy green leaves edged with rich red tones. The bold variegation and...

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Cordyline Cabernet plant with dark red leaves.
Cordyline 'Cabernet'

Cordyline 'Cabernet' is a bold evergreen plant admired for its rich wine red foliage and strong upright growth habit. The glossy strap like leaves...

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Cordyline Showoff with green foliage growing by a shop against a black wall.
Cordyline 'Showoff'

Cordyline 'Showoff' is a vibrant, clump-forming variety renowned for its striking, variegated foliage in pink, red, and green, which adds instant...

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Cordyline obtecta tree with lush green foliage.
Cordyline obtecta (Three Kings Cabbage Tree)

Cordyline obtecta, commonly known as the Three Kings Cabbage Tree, is a small NZ native tree. It grows with a solitary trunk, hosting rosettes of...

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Cordyline banksii plant with lush green foliage in a garden.
Cordyline banksii (Forest Cabbage Tree)

Cordyline banksii is a small-growing NZ native Cabbage Tree. It produces several stems that can reach up to 3 m in height, bearing long and arching...

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Cordyline 'Negra'

Cordyline 'Negra' is a dramatic evergreen plant prized for its deep burgundy almost black foliage that creates bold contrast in New Zealand gardens...

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Cordyline pumilio plant (Dwarf Cabbage Tree).
Cordyline pumilio (Dwarf Cabbage Tree)

Cordyline pumilio, commonly known as the Dwarf Cabbage Tree or Ti Koraha, is a compact New Zealand native plant ideal for ground cover and...

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Cordyline terminalis plants with colourful and lush foliage.
Cordyline terminalis

Cordyline terminalis is a vibrant evergreen plant admired for its colourful foliage in shades of red, pink, green, and bronze. Its bold tropical...

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Cordyline 'Lime Fountain'

Cordyline 'Lime Fountain' is a fresh and vibrant evergreen plant admired for its bright lime green foliage and graceful fountain like form. The...

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Cordyline 'Zumba' plant with dark red-pink foliage.
Cordyline Zumba

Cordyline Zumba is a lively evergreen plant admired for its vibrant mix of red, pink, and green tones that bring bold colour to New Zealand gardens...

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Cordyline fruticosa plants with lush, green foliage.
Cordyline fruticosa

Cordyline fruticosa, commonly known as the Ti Plant, is a striking tropical foliage plant admired for its vibrant red, pink, or green leaves. In New...

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Cordyline australis 'Kirkii' with lush green foliage.
Cordyline Kirkii

Cordyline Kirkii is a hardy New Zealand native admired for its slender arching green foliage and elegant form. This evergreen plant brings a soft...

OUT OF STOCK
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Cordyline Chardonnay

Cordyline Chardonnay is a striking evergreen plant admired for its elegant green leaves striped with soft creamy yellow tones. The bright variegation...

OUT OF STOCK
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Cordyline 'Torbay Dazzler'

Cordyline 'Torbay Dazzler' is a striking evergreen plant admired for its bold green leaves edged with creamy white variegation. The bright foliage...

OUT OF STOCK
Cordyline 'Jade Fountain' plant.
Cordyline 'Jade Fountain'

Cordyline 'Jade Fountain' is a graceful evergreen plant admired for its arching jade green foliage and elegant fountain like form. The soft flowing...

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Cordyline australis

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Cordyline, and Fagus, or related Categories - Flaxes, Indoor Plants, and Deciduous Trees.

Search purple cordyline

Why Choose Purple Cordyline?

Incorporating a purple cordyline into your planting scheme instantly elevates the look and feel of your outdoor space. Their striking foliage stands out against lush greens and pairs beautifully with both tropical and contemporary garden designs. Aside from their good looks, purple cordylines are surprisingly hardy, thriving in New Zealand’s diverse climate. They tolerate coastal wind, a variety of soils, and are generally pest and disease resistant. Whether you’re looking for a feature specimen or a colourful accent in mixed planting, a purple cordyline is a versatile choice.

Popular Varieties of Purple Cordyline

With the popularity of purple cordyline plants on the rise, several standout varieties are available that offer unique shades and growth habits. Cordyline Midnight Star impresses with its bold, dark purple leaves and upright form, making it ideal for statement planting. If you prefer a more compact look, the Cordyline Purple Prince is perfect for pots or borders, offering glossy, rich burgundy foliage.

Gardeners seeking a subtle twist might consider Cordyline Renegade, renowned for its near-black leaves and contrasting pale undersides. For those wanting an architectural centrepiece, Cordyline 'Purple Tower' lives up to its name by delivering an upright, statuesque profile with dramatic purple tones. And if your planting style calls for a more ornamental look, Cordyline Cardinal showcases lush, reddish-purple leaves in dense rosettes.

How to Grow and Care for Purple Cordyline

Purple cordyline care is refreshingly straightforward. They prefer a sunny to partly shaded spot with well-draining soil and appreciate regular watering while establishing. Once settled, these hardy plants are impressively drought-tolerant. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, while a slow-release fertiliser in spring encourages lush new growth.

Pruning is rarely needed, but any damaged or old leaves can simply be removed as needed to keep your plant looking its best. In cooler regions, a sheltered position will help protect against frost damage, but most purple cordyline varieties recover well even if exposed to the occasional cold snap.

Landscape Uses for Purple Cordyline

The bold presence of a purple cordyline adds drama and depth to landscape designs. Use them as a striking focal point in pots or garden beds, or create a living backdrop for flowering perennials. They’re equally at home as part of subtropical, coastal, or modern urban gardens.

With so many versatile options—from Cordyline Midnight Star to Cordyline 'Purple Tower'—finding the perfect purple cordyline for your New Zealand garden is simple. Embrace colour, character, and resilience by adding one of these stunning plants to your outdoor space.


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Garden icons like Corokia 'Bronze King' and Stromanthe 'Triostar' lead the way, but there’s magic in discovering Myrtus ugni, Syngonium 'White Butterfly', and Pandorea pandorana.
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