Also known as Cabbage Tree · 28 gardener saves
Cordyline: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cordyline, the genus most gardeners know as cabbage tree. We track 5 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 5 most-saved Cordyline varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedRed Sensation Cordyline
Cordyline australis 'Red Sensation'
#2 most savedCha Cha Ti Plant Cordyline Cha Cha
Cordyline fruticosa 'Cha Cha'
#3 most savedCan Can Cordyline
Cordyline fruticosa 'Can Can'
Purple Tower Cordyline
Cordyline australis 'Purple Tower'
Alberti Cabbage Tree
Cordyline australis 'Alberti'
How to grow Cordyline
What the Cordyline varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cordyline year
- FertilizeApril–August100% of varieties
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth
- Winter PrepSeptember–November100% of varieties
Bring indoors before first frost or treat as an annual in Zone 7
- PruneFebruary, March, October and November80% of varieties
Remove old, yellowing, or damaged lower leaves as needed
- PlantApril and May60% of varieties
Plant outdoors or move containers out after all danger of frost has passed
- Check for PestsJune–August40% of varieties
Check for spider mites and scale, especially in hot, dry weather.
Do
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry 🌱
- Apply balanced fertilizer monthly during the growing season
- Prune to shape and remove dead leaves
- Water regularly, especially in dry periods 💧
- Fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t expose to frost or freezing temperatures
- Keep away from overly shady spots where it may become leggy
- Don’t expose to frost, as it’s sensitive to cold
What goes wrong with Cordyline
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mealybugs | White cottony masses on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or wipe with alcohol-soaked cotton |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves, soggy soil | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Leaf Spot | Brown or black spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide if necessary |
Making more Cordyline
cuttings
- Select healthy stem segments 🌱
- Cut 4-6 inches long with clean shears
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil
- Keep soil moist and warm for 6 weeks
Stem cuttings
- Select healthy stem segments (~6 inches) and cut with clean scissors.
- Remove lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil or perlite.
- Keep humidity high with a plastic cover or propagator for 6 weeks.
- Place in bright, indirect light and water sparingly.
Cordyline questions
How many types of Cordyline are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Cordyline varieties. The most popular — ranked by 28 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cordyline grow in?
Across its varieties, Cordyline covers USDA Zones 7–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cordyline bloom?
Most Cordyline varieties bloom in late summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cordyline should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Cordyline shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Cordyline in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
