Cabbage tree

Cabbage tree Care

Cordyline australis

Other names: Torbay Palm

What is the plant

Cordyline australis, commonly known as the cabbage tree, or cabbage-palm, is a widely branched monocot tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows up to 20 metres tall with a stout trunk and sword-like leaves which can be up to 1 metre long.

Cordyline australis, commonly called giant dracaena or cabbage palm, is one of the best known and most recognized of the plants indigenous to New Zealand where it typically grows as a single or multiple-trunked tree to 20-30’ tall. It was introduced into the U.S in the early 1800s and now grows in a number of locations in California and the southern U.S. It features sword-shaped gray-green leaves to 3’ long and only 2-3” wide. Impressive panicles of small fragrant white flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, however container-grown plants rarely flower. Young plants feature a fountain of grass-like leaves with no trunk and are often sold in this form as houseplants. Patio container plants will slowly develop a cane-like trunk or trunks over time, eventually growing to as much as 15’ tall. Synonymous with Dracaena australis.

If you’ve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information.

Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

18°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

9a - 10b

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Cabbage requires a consistently moist soil. While it won't tolerate sitting in wet, soggy soil, it needs regular watering to produce its leafy heads. Water your cabbage once a week, applying 1 1/2 inches of water to a soil. If a soil is dry to a depth of 3 inches, water more frequently.
Pruning
Make judicious cuts to encourage new growth. Cut just before a leaf node. Or when cutting back larger stems, cut as close to the main stem as possible.
Fertilizer
Universal fertilizer is a granular and mineral product intended for the fertilization of all types of garden cultivations. Its balanced content is suitable both for fruit trees, fruit bushes, vegetables, and ornamental plants. The even composition of individual elements makes the fertilizer universal.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Sunlight
Does best in partial sun.
Soil
Use a special potting mix that has been developed for your plant type.
Temperature
The plant is half hardy (down to -8°C).

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Container
When choosing a pot, choose a pot that is 2.5-5 cm (1-2”) larger than the current size. Ceramic pots are porous which means your plants are less likely to experience root rot from overwatering. It also means you'll have to water more often. Plastic pots are lighter, less likely to break, and easier to clean.
Popularity
6,906 people already have this plant 735 people have added this plant to their wishlists