Cabbage tree

Sun

Full sun to light shade; the strongest growth and best flowering are usually in sun.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then during prolonged dry spells. Established trees tolerate some drought; container plants need more frequent watering.

Soil

Well-drained soil, including sandy or loamy ground. Avoid persistently waterlogged soil, especially in winter.

Height

20-40 ft (6-12 m), sometimes taller in favourable climates

Spread

10-20 ft (3-6 m)

Flowers

Large, branched sprays of fragrant creamy-white flowers in late spring and early summer, usually on mature plants.

Foliage

Evergreen. Long, narrow, leathery green leaves form dense tufts at the branch tips. Older leaves turn brown and may hang against the trunk.

Growth

Moderate, becoming faster in mild conditions with adequate moisture.

Care needed

Medium

• Water deeply through the first growing season, allowing the surface soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Mulch the root area, keeping mulch clear of the trunk.
• Feed container plants lightly in spring; trees in ordinary garden soil rarely need regular feeding.
• Use a container with drainage holes and a free-draining potting mix.
• Move containers into a bright, frost-free place where winters fall below its hardiness range.
• In marginal climates, loosely tie the leaves upright and protect the crown with horticultural fleece during severe cold; remove protection promptly in mild weather.

Pruning. Remove dead leaves and unwanted flower stalks in late spring or summer. After frost damage, wait until late spring to assess recovery, then cut dead stems back to sound tissue; surviving plants may produce new shoots from the trunk or base.

Spring

Plant after hard frosts have passed, choosing a well-drained position sheltered from cold winds.

Late spring

Check frost-damaged stems for new growth before cutting away dead tissue.

Summer

Water new plantings deeply during dry weather and check containers frequently.

Late summer

Remove spent flower stalks before berries ripen if unwanted seedlings are a concern.

Autumn

Clear fallen leaves from paths and drains, and move vulnerable containers under cover before frost.

Winter

Protect the crown during severe cold and keep container compost only lightly moist under cover.

• Use as a sculptural focal point in a sunny gravel garden, with low grasses around its base.
• Plant in a coastal border with New Zealand flax and evergreen shrubs for contrasting leaf shapes.
• Grow a young plant in a large container beside a sheltered patio or entrance.
• Use a small group to give height and a subtropical silhouette to a mild-climate garden, allowing room for mature branching.

Garden styles it suits: Architectural minimal, Coastal, Modern, Modern tropical, Dry gravel garden and Modern courtyard.

Plant it with: New Zealand flax, Agapanthus, Lavender, Rosemary, Blue fescue and Hebe.

Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other insects. Birds eat the berries and can carry the seeds beyond the garden.

• Frost damage: leaves may brown and stems can die back. Protect young plants, and wait until late spring before removing damaged growth.
• Root or crown rot: persistent wetness can cause soft tissue and collapse. Improve drainage, reduce watering and avoid wetting the crown repeatedly.
• Scale insects or mealybugs: inspect leaf bases, especially on plants kept under cover. Wipe off small infestations and use a labelled insecticidal soap where appropriate.
• Leaf spotting: remove badly affected leaves, improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering; persistent spotting may need local diagnosis.

Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, particularly the foliage; saponins can cause vomiting, drooling and loss of appetite. Contact a veterinarian after ingestion. Toxicity to horses is not well established. It is not generally known to be poisonous to people, but ornamental plants should not be eaten.

Where it spreads. Escapes cultivation and can become an environmental weed in parts of south-eastern Australia, including Victoria and Tasmania. Birds spread its seeds; check local weed guidance and remove flower stalks before fruit develops where escape is a concern.

• Spineless yucca (Yucca gigantea)

  Yucca has broader, stiffer, more sword-like leaves and conspicuous bell-shaped flowers; cabbage tree has narrower, more flexible leaves and sprays of tiny flowers.

• Mountain cabbage tree (Cordyline indivisa)

  It has much broader blue-green leaves with a prominent orange or reddish midrib and usually a less-branched trunk.

• Ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa)

  It has broader leaves with distinct leaf stalks, often in bright colours, and needs much warmer conditions.

Cordyline comes from a Greek word for a club, referring to the thickened underground stem, while australis means southern; the common name refers to the cabbage-like young shoots.

Propagation. Grow from fresh seed in warmth, or take stem sections in late spring or summer. Basal shoots can sometimes be separated once they have their own roots; seedlings of coloured cultivars may not resemble the parent.

Accepted botanical name

Cordyline australis

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states.

Native range

New Zealand North and New Zealand South.

Measured

Average height 1045 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.