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red cabbage palm trees

Are you searching for red cabbage palm trees to add a splash of striking colour and architectural elegance to your garden? While the name "red cabbage palm trees" isn't commonly associated with any certified palm species, many New Zealand gardeners are captivated by the thought of dramatic red foliage and distinctive palm-like forms. Whether you're aiming for that palm tree silhouette or simply want lively red tones in your landscape, this guide will help you find the perfect alternatives and related plants that deliver the lush, tropical feel and vibrant hues you're after.

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.

From $16.49

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
Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.

Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a vibrant evergreen shrub prized for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This hardy variety produces an impressive flowering display over a long season, adding bold colour and attracting pollinators to the garden.

From $16.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.50 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern
leptospermum-red-damask--1
Leptospermum 'Red Damask'

Leptospermum 'Red Damask' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and fine dense foliage. Flowering through spring...

From$27.53
camellia-roma-red-
Camellia 'Roma Red'

Camellia 'Roma Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms and glossy green foliage. It delivers bold winter to spring colour in...

From$39.95
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...

From$340.69
Rhopalostylis sapida palms growing as a cluster.
Rhopalostylis sapida

Rhopalostylis sapida, commonly known as Nikau Palm, is a fast-growing and beautiful Palm tree. From a central trunk, it produces large and broad...

From$30.29
Leptospermum 'Red Falls' plant with red flowers and dark green-purple coloured leaves.
Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its cascading growth habit and masses of vibrant red flowers through spring and...

From$27.53
Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

From$249.95
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.
Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

From$11.95
A dense Escallonia 'Red Dream' shrub with lush green foliage.
Escallonia 'Red Dream'

Escallonia 'Red Dream' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This attractive variety...

From$16.95
acer-red-sunset-2
Acer 'Red Sunset'

Acer 'Red Sunset' is one of the finest deciduous maples for autumn colour, producing a spectacular display of brilliant scarlet and crimson foliage...

From$399.95
Callistemon 'Red Alert' shrub in a garden.
Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Callistemon 'Red Alert' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its brilliant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into summer. The vivid...

From$27.53
Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' rose-coloured foliage.
Pseudowintera 'Red Glow'

Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' is a bright and vibrant NZ native shrub. New foliage emerges rose-pink and ages to become a fresh green colour. The leaf...

From$27.53
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' red stems.
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red'

Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' is a popular heritage rhubarb variety prized for its vibrant red stalks and excellent flavour. This productive perennial performs...

From$17.95
Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia 'Red Robin' is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

From$18.95
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera 'Red'

Carex flagellifera 'Red' is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.
Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs...

From$349.95
Chinese Windmill Palms planted as a cluster.
Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm)

Trachycarpus fortunei, commonly known as the Windmill Palm, is a hardy, evergreen palm ideal for New Zealand gardens. It features a tall, slender...

From$425.89
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$99.29
Callistemon citrinus 'Red Cluster' small tree with masses of red, pendulous flowers.
Callistemon 'Red Cluster' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Red Cluster' is a striking bottlebrush variety valued for its clusters of vivid red flower spikes and dense evergreen foliage. Flowering...

From$37.19
pb-28-planter-bags-
PB28 Planter Bags (Christmas Tree Bag)

PB28 Planter Bags are a durable and economical option for growing large trees, shrubs, fruit plants, natives, and other mature nursery stock. Their...

From$130.50
A Loropetalum 'Red Temple' plant with dark purple-red foliage and elegant, pink flowers.
Loropetalum 'Red Temple'

Loropetalum 'Red Temple' produces mildly fragrant, pink-red flowers through winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage on this bushy...

From$28.91
pb-60-planter-bags-
PB60 Planter Bags (Bag For Xmas Tree)

PB60 Planter Bags are a strong and practical option for growing large trees, shrubs, fruit plants, natives, and advanced nursery stock. Their...

From$169.50
Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.
Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun...

From$27.53
grevillea-red-clusters-4
Grevillea 'Red Clusters'

Grevillea 'Red Clusters' is a vibrant evergreen shrub that produces masses of rich red flower clusters throughout the year. Its fine foliage and...

From$24.95
malus-red-jade-1
Malus 'Red Jade'

Malus 'Red Jade' is a graceful weeping crabapple tree admired for its cascading branches, masses of white spring blossom, colourful red ornamental...

From$387.55
tree-and-shrub-fertiliser-
Tree Fertiliser

Using tree fertiliser results in plants having better quality foliage, more profuse flowering, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$16.95
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' showy red flowers.
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red'

Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' is a striking crepe myrtle renowned for its deep crimson summer flowers and attractive upright tree form. Flowering...

From$30.29
Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.
Buddleia 'Royal Red'

Buddleia 'Royal Red' is a bold deciduous shrub celebrated for its rich red crimson flower spikes and sweet summer fragrance. Flowering over an...

From$27.53
ulmus-lobel-
Ulmus 'Lobel' (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus 'Lobel' is a refined deciduous elm valued for its narrow upright form, dense green foliage, and excellent suitability as an avenue or specimen...

From$557.95
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

From$27.53
Melia azedarach tree.
Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree, White Cedar) is a graceful deciduous tree valued for its attractive fern like foliage, fragrant clusters of lilac...

From$387.55
Cordyline australis

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Camellia, Coprosma, and Cordyline, or related Categories - Flaxes, Palm Trees, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search red cabbage palm trees

What Are Red Cabbage Palm Trees?

The phrase "red cabbage palm trees" can cause a bit of confusion, as it doesn’t refer to a specific plant you’ll commonly find in nurseries across New Zealand. Rather, it's often used to seek out palm-like plants or shrubs with red or burgundy foliage reminiscent of cabbage palms (Cordyline species), but with bolder red colouration. Some Cordyline varieties do feature dramatic red leaves, and are excellent choices for creating a tropical vibe.

Alternatives for Red Cabbage Palm Trees

If you’re looking for the bold, red foliage that "red cabbage palm trees" suggest, consider these outstanding alternatives:

Adding Red Interest Indoors and Out

If you would love red foliage for your indoor space or patio, consider Hypoestes 'Splash Red'. This popular indoor plant sports bright red and pink speckled leaves, creating a cheerful, vibrant look—ideal for pots, hanging baskets, or table displays.

For further red-themed garden inspiration, flowering shrubs such as Camellia Roma Red offer rich, long-lasting blossoms and glossy foliage, while Grevillea Red Clusters (Red Clusters Grevillea) supplies both colour and wildlife appeal through its bold red flower spikes.

Tips for Growing Red Foliage Plants

To achieve the best colour and growth, select a sunny to partially shaded site with well-draining soil. Regular feeding and mulching will help keep foliage vibrant. For container planting, choose mixes that retain moisture but drain well.

Find Your Red Cabbage Palm Tree Look

While red cabbage palm trees may not exist by name, New Zealand gardens can easily achieve that look and feel by mixing and matching our recommended plants. Whether with cordylines, red-toned shrubs, or showy indoor foliage, the possibilities are as bold and beautiful as your imagination. Explore options like Photinia Super Red (Red Robin), Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red, and Hypoestes 'Splash Red' to create your own unique red cabbage palm tree-inspired 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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
It’s easy to pick Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' and Ficus 'Black Knight', but garden variety is all about adding surprises like Photinia 'Black Jack', Apricot 'Trevatt', and Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (Japanese Dwarf Juniper).
–The Plant Company

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