Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, it makes a fantastic container plant if you use a well-draining potting mix.

How often should I water it?

Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Plant guide

Cabbage tree.

Cordyline australis

Pronounced kor-di-LY-nee aw-STRAH-liss

Also known as Cabbage Tree, Cabbage-Palm, New Zealand cabbagetree, Palm Lily, cabbagetree, fountain-dracaena, giant-dracaena, grass-palm

New Zealand cabbage tree — Photo by Jon Sullivan (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The cabbage tree is a striking, palm like plant native to New Zealand. It brings a tropical feel to your space with its sword shaped leaves and architectural form. You will love how it stands out as a focal point in any bright room.

Another photo of Cabbage tree — Photo by Jon Sullivan (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Mature size: 15 to 30 feet in nature
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water. Dust the leaves occasionally to help the plant breathe and stay healthy.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged lower leaves to maintain a tidy appearance.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger container once the roots begin to crowd the pot.
Soil: Well draining potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -5 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Long-lived perennial, often lasting several decades.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The foliage can be mildly toxic if ingested by humans or pets.
Pets: This plant is considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep children away from the sharp, sword-like leaf tips which can cause eye injuries.
Contact allergens: The sharp, pointed leaf tips can cause mechanical skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: The flowers produce pollen that may trigger mild hay fever in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: The plant is not considered edible and ingestion may cause digestive distress.

How to identify it

Long sword shaped leathery leaves
Palm like woody trunk
Leaves grow in dense terminal tufts
Mature plants produce fragrant white flowers

Height: 3 to 6m
Spread: 1 to 3m
Leaves: green, bronze, purple, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: white, blue, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Leaf SpotCommon
Scale InsectsCommon
Brown Leaf EdgesUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: In colder climates, move containers indoors to a bright, frost-free location. If planted in the ground, wrap the crown with burlap to protect it from harsh winter winds.
In containers: It grows beautifully in containers, provided the pot is at least 40 cm wide and has excellent drainage.

Stem cuttings

1. Cut a healthy side shoot or stem section.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
4. Plant in a moist, well-draining medium.
5. Keep in a warm, bright spot until roots form.

Pair with low-growing, drought-tolerant groundcovers to shade the root zone and retain moisture.

Grows well with

New Zealand Flax — They share similar environmental needs and create a classic coastal aesthetic.
Hebe — These shrubs provide a nice textural contrast to the spiky foliage of the cabbage tree.

Similar species

Mountain Cabbage Tree — It has broader, more rigid leaves and a more alpine preference.

Science

Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Cordyline
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: New Zealand
Conservation: It is not currently threatened in its native range.

It thrives in open forests and swampy areas where it can access consistent moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides shelter for small birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: ornamental focal point, container plant, coastal landscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 6/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?: Yes, it makes a fantastic container plant if you use a well-draining potting mix.
How often should I water it?: Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Where the name comes from

The genus name comes from the Greek word kordyle, meaning club, referring to the thickened roots. The species name australis means southern, referencing its origin in the Southern Hemisphere.

Good to know

It is commonly called the cabbage tree in New Zealand.
The plant can grow quite tall in its native habitat.
It is highly tolerant of salt spray, making it great for seaside gardens.
The leaves were historically used by indigenous people to make rope and clothing.
It produces massive, fragrant flower panicles.

Keep your cabbage tree growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.