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red star cabbage tree

Bring striking colour and dramatic form to your garden with the red star cabbage tree, also known as Cordyline 'Red Star'. This popular ornamental plant is renowned throughout New Zealand for its slender, burgundy-red sword-like leaves and elegant, architectural shape. Whether planted en masse or as a specimen feature, the red star cabbage tree adds an instant touch of modern style to courtyards, coastal gardens, and subtropical landscapes.

Cordyline 'Red Star'

4.7 from 3 customers

Cordyline 'Red Star' is a popular evergreen plant renowned for its striking, deep red, sword-like leaves, which add a strong architectural form to New Zealand gardens. It grows to around 2 metres tall and forms a clumping habit, making it ideal for borders, containers, or as a feature plant.

Cordyline australis 'Red Star' plants with fabulous dark red-purple foliage.
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Flaxes
  • Height:
    2.50 m
  • Spread:
    1.20 m
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal, Hardy, Shade
  • Garden uses:
    Containers, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
  • Garden styles:
    Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Tropical
Cordyline australis trees growing as a cluster.
Most Popular Cordyline australis

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...

From$16.49
Cordyline australis albertii plants with variegated foliage.
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Cordyline albertii (Variegated Cabbage Tree) is a striking evergreen tree admired for its bold green leaves edged with creamy white variegation. This...

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Cordyline 'Broadsword' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Most Popular Cordyline Broadsword

Cordyline 'Broadsword' is a smaller variety of the commonly known Cabbage Tree, and features broad, bright green leaves held on a small tree. It...

From$30.29
Cordyline 'Jade Fountain' plant.
Most Popular 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 stricta plants growing in their native setting.
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Cordyline stricta, commonly known as the Slender Palm Lily, features narrow, strap like, green leaves held on upright stems which gives a very lush...

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Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.
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Phormium 'Emerald Gem' is a dwarf variety of Mountain Flax or Wharariki. It produces emerald-green leaves and grows to 60 cm tall and 70 cm wide in...

From$8.50
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Most Popular Phormium 'Surfer'

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching...

From$12.95
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Most Popular Phormium 'Jack Spratt'

Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is one of the smallest New Zealand native flax varieties, admired for its narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze to dark...

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dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2
Most Popular Dianella Kentlyn

Dianella Kentlyn is a variety of the commonly known, Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

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phormium-veneer-
Most Popular Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium 'Veneer' is a striking NZ flax known for its upright, sword like leaves with rich bronze and green tones. This hardy evergreen adds bold...

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Cordyline 'Red Star'

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What Is the Red Star Cabbage Tree?

The red star cabbage tree is a cultivated form of Cordyline, valued for its bold reddish foliage and tidy growth habit. Unlike the classic Cordyline australis, which typically displays green leaves, the 'Red Star' offers year-round crimson purples that provide stunning contrast, especially when paired with lighter grasses or green foliage plants.

Cordyline 'Red Star' can reach up to two metres in height and .8 metres in width, making it compact enough for smaller gardens, containers, and even stylish entranceways. Its tolerance for wind and coastal exposure makes it a fantastic choice for Kiwi gardens.

How to Grow Cordyline 'Red Star'

Growing a red star cabbage tree is exceptionally easy, even for beginner gardeners. Plant into well-drained soil in a sunny spot for the best colour, though it will tolerate partial shade. These hardy, drought-resistant plants require little maintenance once established. Remove any older leaves at the base as needed to keep your plant looking tidy.

For a varied and stunning contemporary border, combine Cordyline 'Red Star' with other foliage champions such as Cordyline Broadsword, Cordyline albertii, or the lush, arching Cordyline 'Raspberry Fountain'.

Landscaping with Red Star Cabbage Trees

The deep, earthy red tones of the red star cabbage tree create perfect contrast among native and exotic plantings. Use it as an eye-catching focal point in a modern planting palette, or mass plant for a bold statement along driveways or in courtyards.

For texture and colour harmony, pair your Cordyline 'Red Star' with flax relatives like Phormium 'Surfer', Phormium 'Surfer Bronze', or the vivid Cordyline Lime Fountain. For further diversity, consider the stunning blooms and architectural form of Xeronema callistemon (Poor Knights Lily) or foliage contrast with Dianella haematica.

Why Choose Cordyline 'Red Star'?

The red star cabbage tree is a reliable, low-maintenance way to introduce lasting colour and structure to your landscape. Its tolerance for a range of growing conditions, ability to withstand coastal wind, and low water needs make it a favourite among New Zealand gardeners. With its striking foliage and year-round visual impact, Cordyline 'Red Star' is the perfect choice for gardens of all styles.

Browse our full range, including other stunning Cordyline varieties like Cordyline australis and Cordyline 'Raspberry Fountain', for even more garden inspiration.


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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.

We love Azara microphylla and Corokia 'Mangatangi' as much as anyone, but part of the fun is discovering Feijoa 'Golden Goose', Acer Brandywine (Brandywine Maple), and Olive 'Verdale'.
–The Plant Company

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