Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Cordyline.
Cordyline australis
Pronounced kor-dih-LEE-nee AW-strah-lis
Also known as Cabbage Tree, Cabbage-Palm, New Zealand cabbagetree, Palm Lily, cabbagetree, fountain-dracaena, giant-dracaena, grass-palm
The Cabbage Tree is a striking evergreen perennial native to New Zealand. It's known for its architectural form, with a single trunk or multiple branching stems topped by a rosette of long, strap-like leaves. This plant is very tolerant and can grow into a substantial tree over time.
At a glance
- Care level
- Easy
- Plant type
- Shrub or Tree
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Indoor light
- bright-indirect
- Mature size
- 20-30 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide
- Growth rate
- medium
Care
Provide well-draining soil and consistent moisture, but allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. It prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sun once established. Prune as needed to maintain shape or encourage branching.
- Soil
- Well-draining, loamy or sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Slightly acidic to neutral (5.5-7.0)
Safety
- People
- Leaves and roots can cause mild irritation if ingested; generally considered non-toxic in small amounts.
- Pets
- May cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested.
- Edibility
- While the young leaves and fruits of Cordyline australis are traditionally eaten by Māori people in New Zealand after cooking, it is not recommended for consumption by others without expert knowledge, as preparation is crucial and can be toxic if done incorrectly.
How to identify it
- Long, strap-like, arching leaves
- Trunk often branched, sometimes multi-stemmed
- Clusters of small, fragrant white flowers
- Produces small, white, berry-like fruits
- Palm-like or tree-like growth habit
- New growth emerges from the center of leaf rosettes
Grows well with
- Phormium — These New Zealand natives share a similar arid-tolerant nature and architectural form, creating a cohesive aesthetic.
- Hebe — Hebe varieties offer diverse flower colors and textures that complement the Cabbage Tree's structural form without competing for resources.
- Agapanthus — Their bold, rounded flower heads provide a beautiful contrast to the upright and linear form of Cordyline australis.
Keep away from
- Mealybugs — These sap-sucking insects can infest new growth and leaf axils, weakening the plant.
- Scale Insects — Scale can attach to stems and leaves, draining plant juices and potentially spreading disease.
- Overwatering — Excessive moisture can lead to root rot, especially in poorly draining soils.
Similar species
- Dracaena — Many Dracaena species have a similar upright, palm-like appearance and strap-like leaves, though they are from a different genus.
- Yucca — Yucca plants also feature stiff, sword-like leaves and a tree-like form, often thriving in similar sunny, dry conditions.
- Phormium (New Zealand Flax) — While a different plant, Phormium shares the New Zealand origin and similar architectural, strap-leaved aesthetic.
Science
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Cordyline
- Order
- Asparagales
- Class
- Liliopsida
- Value to wildlife
- nectar source, provides shelter
- Pollinators
- bees, butterflies, moths
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Good to know
- The Cabbage Tree is New Zealand's most abundant native tree and was a vital food and resource for the Māori people.
Is your cordyline looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
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.