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If you’re a newbie to cordylines searching for care tips, look no further! Our experts have mindfully tailored this guide for beginners, offering essential tips and insights to ensure you maintain a thriving cordyline plant.
From potting soil recommendations to winter care advice, we unearth the ins and outs of caring for this vibrant, tropical species. Dive into the basics of cordyline care so you can master the art of caring for your cordyline plant!
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What Is a Cordyline Plant?
Cordyline, also called a ‘cabbage tree/plant, ‘ is an evergreen shrub native to New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, and South America.
They are characterised by an elegant fountain of long, strappy leaves; mature plants often display a thick, woody trunk that resembles a beachy palm. If kept outdoors, a mature cordyline can bloom panicles of tiny fragrant flowers that transform into berries.
The name cordyline is a blanket classification encompassing various types within this diverse plant family. From cordyline fruticosa, also known as the ‘ti plant’, to cordyline australis and cordyline terminalis, there are many cordyline varieties, each with unique characteristics, such as different coloured foliage.
While different species of cordyline may have distinguished appearances, they all require similar care to thrive. Understanding the unique needs of cordylines, such as soil nutrition and watering, is the key to successfully cultivating these charming plants.
9 Care Tips to Keep Your Cordyline Plant Happy
The Local Botanist team has created this beginner-friendly guide of essential tips to help you become a pro at looking after cordyline plants:
#1 Watering Your Cordyline Plant
Cordylines are exceptionally drought-tolerant and aren’t fussy about watering. Water a young or newly planted cordyline routinely to encourage strong and healthy roots. Once your plant is established, you only need to water it sparingly.
Because of their drought-tolerant nature, cordylines are susceptible to root rot and waterlogging. Only water your plant when the top few inches of soil feel dry to prevent either issue. This will foster a balance that supports healthy growth while avoiding excess moisture. It’s also important to ensure your cordyline is adequately sheltered from rain if it’s kept outdoors.
#2 Cordyline Light Requirements
Most cordyline species benefit from full sun exposure. However, if you have a species with variegated or colourful foliage, such as a Hawaiian Ti plant, too much sun exposure can fade their vibrant leaves, so part shade or bright, indirect light is best advised.
#3 Best Potting Soil Mix for Cordylines
Because cordylines are susceptible to root rot, you must plant them in well-draining soil with good aeration. You can achieve this by combining chalk, clay, loam, and sand. If your plant is potted, a loam-based compost or multipurpose potting mix will work perfectly.
You should also ensure the soil is slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH ranging between 6.0 and 7.0. This will enable your plant’s root system to absorb essential nutrients, creating an ideal growing environment.
#4 Ideal Temperature & Humidity for Cordylines
Cordylines are tropical plants, meaning they’re accustomed to humidity and warm temperatures ranging from around 15 to 20 °C. If your cordyline is an indoor plant, we recommend keeping it in your bathroom or kitchen, as these areas mimic the moist, tepid conditions of the cordyline’s natural environment.
If you keep your cordyline outdoors, you needn’t worry about cooler seasons impacting your plant’s health. Despite their tropical appearance, cordyline is a surprisingly hardy species that can tolerate temperatures as low as -5 °C!
This means your plant won’t die during the winter so long as you provide adequate protection and care, such as insulating the soil with a layer of mulch.
#5 Fertilising Your Cordyline Plant
Cordylines appreciate being fertilised with a general controlled-release solution throughout the growing season (spring and summer). If you own a variety of cordyline with colourful leaves, you can enhance its vibrancy by feeding it a potassium-rich formula.
#6 Outdoor Cordyline Plant Considerations
When planting cordyline outdoors, it’s key to ensure you do so in a raised garden bed, as this will improve drainage. You should also strategically plant your cordyline in an area that receives ample sunlight. If it’s a coloured variety, choose a spot with partial shade.
You should also consider your region’s weather conditions when planting cordyline outside. If your area experiences frequent rain and/or harsh winds, it’s best to shelter your plant to protect it against potential damage.
#7 Pruning Cordylines
Pruning your cordyline will promote its overall health and help maintain an attractive and balanced appearance. The best time to prune your cordyline is during spring and summer when it’s actively growing.
When pruning your plant, look out for leggy, overgrown stems and damaged or dead leaves. When cutting away at your cordyline, you must use clean and sharp pruning shears. This will ensure precise cuts and prevent the spread of disease.
#8 Best Time to Repot a Cordyline Plant
If you have a potted cordyline, make sure to accommodate its growth by moving it to a bigger container as it develops. Since cordyline is a slow-growing species, you’ll typically need to re-pot it every 2 to 3 years.
Failure to re-pot will negatively affect cordyline growth and overall health because roots will become cramped and unable to access essential nutrients.
Roots growing beyond the holes of a container are a key indicator that your plant is ready for repotting. When this time comes, ensure you gently lift your cordyline from its container and brush away the soil. Make sure you don’t break the roots. It’s also important to always use fresh soil when repotting to ensure your plant receives ample nutrients.
FAQs:
Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about cordyline plants:
While their exotic, beachy appearance might suggest otherwise, cordylines are impressively hardy and can tolerate winter temperatures as low as -5°C. If you keep your cordyline outside during the winter, ensure you equip them with additional protection, such as mulching to regulate soil temperatures and wrapping your plant with insulating cloth to protect against frost.
With the right care, cordyline plants will regenerate each year. If you experience frosty winters, cut the top of the cordyline to ground level. In the summer, your cordyline will quickly regenerate a mass of shoots.
Cordyline plants aren’t toxic to cats but can harm your dog’s health if ingested. If you’re a dog owner, it’s best to avoid keeping these plants around your pooch!
