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variegated cordyline

Variegated cordyline is a standout choice for New Zealand gardens, bringing instant colour and a lush, exotic look to any outdoor space. These striking plants combine spectacular foliage with easy-care requirements, making them favourites for gardeners of all skill levels. Known for their vibrant stripes, splashes, and bands of cream, green, pink, and sometimes even purple, variegated cordylines brighten up garden beds, pots, borders, and even indoor spaces.

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.

From $340.69

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 2.50 m
Spread: 1.50 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
Cordyline Showoff with green foliage growing by a shop against a black wall.

Cordyline Showoff

5 from 2 customers

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.

From $35.19

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 '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...

From$136.04
Cordyline stricta plants growing in their native setting.
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...

From$44.09
Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.
Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged...

From$16.95
Cordyline 'Broadsword' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
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 australis trees growing as a cluster.
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
Ctenanthe lubbersiana plant with yellow and green foliage.
Ctenanthe lubbersiana

Ctenanthe lubbersiana, commonly known as the Bamburanta Plant is a lush foliage plant that is commonly grown indoors as a potted plant. It features...

From$44.09
pittosporum-tenuifolium-variegata-4
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata'

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata' is an attractive evergreen shrub renowned for its beautifully variegated foliage and elegant growth habit. The...

From$22.01
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum Variegatum, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and variegated foliage. It...

From$30.29
Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...

From$12.95
peperomia-clusiifolia-
Peperomia clusiifolia

Peperomia clusiifolia, commonly known as the Jelly Plant, is a popular and easy to grow indoor plant. It produces short stems carrying thick and...

From$34.43
schefflera-variegata-
Schefflera arboricola variegated

The variegated Schefflera (Schefflera arboricola Variegated) is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant due to its attractive and...

From$19.95
portulacaria-afra-variegata--8
Portulacaria afra 'Variegata'

Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' is an attractive evergreen succulent shrub prized for its creamy white and green variegated foliage carried on...

From$19.50
Cornus controversa variegata (Wedding Cake Tree) specimen in a large garden.
Cornus controversa variegata

Cornus controversa variegata, commonly referred to as the Wedding Cake Tree, features tiered branches that bear leaves that are variegated cream and...

From$340.69
Buxus sempervirens variegata (Variegated Box) shrub with lush and colourful foliage.
Buxus sempervirens 'variegata'

Buxus sempervirens 'variegata' features small, mid-green leaves with cream-white edges on new growth, which age to become a darker green. It grows to...

From$16.95
Aeonium haworthii 'Kiwi' plant with colourful leaves.
Aeonium haworthii Kiwi

Aeonium haworthii Kiwi is a succulent grown for its symmetrical rosettes of variegated, fleshy leaves. The leaves are cream-yellow towards the centre...

From$12.95
Metrosideros kermadecensis 'variegata' red flowers and variegated foliage.
Metrosideros kermadecensis variegata (Variegated Pohutukawa)

Metrosideros kermadecensis 'Variegata' is a striking NZ native shrub or small tree admired for its glossy green leaves edged with creamy variegation...

From$30.29
acer-ukigumo--1
Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo'

Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo' is a rare and highly ornamental Japanese Maple treasured for its striking white and pink variegated foliage. Often called the...

From$349.95
acer-esk-sunset-
Acer Esk Sunset (Eskimo Sunset Maple)

Acer pseudoplatanus Esk Sunset, commonly known as the Eskimo Sunset Sycamore Maple, is grown for its rich and colourful foliage. The lush leaves on...

From$299.95
acer-palmatum-shirazz--3
Acer palmatum 'Shirazz'

Acer palmatum 'Shirazz' is a stunning variegated Japanese Maple admired for its rich purple red foliage edged with soft pink. The colourful leaves...

From$299.95
westringia-wynyabbie-highlight--4
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Highlight'

Westringia 'Wynyabbie Highlight' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its fine variegated green and cream foliage, naturally rounded habit, and...

From$18.95
Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' plant with pink flowers and foliage variegated green and yellow.
Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow'

Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' is an architectural evergreen prized for its variegated sword like leaves washed with soft gold and green tones. In...

From$37.19
Pandorea jasminoides variegata pink flower and variegated foliage.
Pandorea jasminoides variegata

Pandorea jasminoides 'Variegata' is a climber that features light pink, trumpet-shaped flowers with a dark pink throat from spring through autumn...

From$24.95
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$19.95
viburnum-tinus-variegatum--1
Viburnum tinus variegatum

Viburnum tinus 'Variegatum' is an attractive evergreen shrub prized for its cream and green variegated foliage that provides year round colour and...

From$27.53
crassula-pellucida-variegata-
Crassula pellucida variegata

Crassula pellucida variegata, commonly known as Calico Kitten, is grown for its colourful foliage and creeping growth habit. It forms a carpet of...

From$26.15
Liriope muscari 'Gold Banded' plants with colourful, variegated foliage and pink flowers.
Liriope 'Gold Banded' (Variegated Liriope)

Liriope 'Gold Banded' produces green leaves edged with gold, and masses of lavender coloured flowers in summer. This herbaceous perennial grows as a...

From$17.95
Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum white flowers and variegated leaves.
Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum (Variegated Star Jasmine)

Trachelospermum jasminoides Variegatum is a striking evergreen climber featuring glossy green leaves edged with creamy-white margins. In summer, it...

From$15.50
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana variegata

Agave americana variegata, commonly known as the Variegated Century Plant, is a large succulent that features broad, powder-blue leaves with yellow...

From$15.95
Hedera 'Silver Variegata' dark green and cream variegated foliage.
Hedera 'Silver Variegated'

Hedera ‘Silver Variegated’ is a striking evergreen ivy with silvery-green leaves edged in creamy white. Its elegant variegation brightens shaded...

From$14.95
Cordyline albertii

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Chlorophytum, Coprosma, and Cordyline, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search variegated cordyline

What is a Variegated Cordyline?

A variegated cordyline refers to any cordyline variety with multi-coloured foliage—often featuring contrasting edges, stripes, or central bands. These plants belong to the Cordyline genus, native to the Pacific and hugely popular in New Zealand. Variegated forms like the renowned Cordyline albertii offer spectacular year-round interest, and their unique patterns create a dramatic focal point in any planting scheme.

Top Variegated Cordyline Varieties

New Zealand nursery collections include a stunning selection of variegated cordyline varieties. Some of our favourites are:

How to Grow and Care for Variegated Cordyline

Variegated cordylines are prized not only for their dazzling looks but also for their resilience. Plant them in free-draining soil in a sunny to partially shaded site. While they tolerate coastal wind and light frost, provide shelter from harsh southerly exposure for the best colour display. Regular watering (but not waterlogged roots) keeps their colours bright, especially during dry spells. A slow-release fertiliser in spring helps encourage lush new foliage growth.

Variegated cordyline suits both garden beds and container gardens. Use them as feature plants against plain-leaved shrubs or as vibrant statement pieces on a deck or patio. They also add a tropical flair to entranceways and urban courtyards.

Landscape Uses for Variegated Cordyline

Thanks to their sculptural shape and vivid colours, variegated cordylines are outstanding for injecting structure and drama into a planting scheme. Pair them with low, green groundcovers for emphasis, or cluster several varieties like Cordyline Pink Diamond, Cordyline 'Can Can', and Cordyline Showoff for a colourful foliage tapestry. They combine beautifully with flaxes, grasses, and other subtropical favourites.

Ready to Transform Your Garden?

Whether you're seeking a striking container plant or a hardy landscape anchor, variegated cordyline is a vibrant, easy-care solution for New Zealand gardens. Explore our full range, including Cordyline albertii and Cordyline Chardonnay, to bring vivid colour and bold texture to your home landscape.

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.
Start your garden with Photinia 'Red Robin' and Rhododendron 'Pawhuska', and add depth with lesser-known gems like Camellia 'Ariel Song', Magnolia 'DD Blanchard', and Cranberry 'Crowley' (American Cranberrybush).
–The Plant Company

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