3 named cultivars

shrub

Cabbage Tree

The Story

Plant Bio

Cordyline australis, the New Zealand cabbage tree, is an erect evergreen tree that starts as a single stem topped by a fountain of sword-shaped grey-green leaves up to three feet long, then branches into a multi-trunked head with age. Pale corky fissured bark develops below, and large panicles of small scented white flowers open in early summer.

It is hardy only to about zone 9, so across most of the country it is grown as a container plant and moved under cover for winter — the upright leaf fountain sold as a bedding centrepiece is a young plant of a tree that reaches thirty feet where it can. It is exceptionally tolerant of salt, wind and coastal exposure.

Uses & Benefits:

A bold fountain of sword-shaped foliage on a distinct pale trunk, striking in bronze and variegated forms.

Withstands salt, wind and drought better than almost any other architectural evergreen.

The scented flower panicles draw pollinators, and birds take the small white berries.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

180 inches

Width

54 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

New Zealand

Toxicity

Non-toxic; stems and rhizomes are edible

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil.
Grow it in a container north of zone 9.
Water while establishing, then only in drought.
Move containers under cover before hard frost.
Remove dead lower leaves to expose the trunk.
Expect it to branch only after it first flowers.

Pro Tip

It stays a single unbranched stem until it flowers for the first time — the multi-headed shape can't be forced, only waited for.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it free-draining soil 🌱
Use it in exposed coastal planting 🌊
Overwinter containers under cover 🏠
Strip dead lower leaves for a clean trunk ✂️

Don't

Leave it outdoors below zone 9 ❌
Plant it in heavy, wet ground ❌
Expect branching before it flowers ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Move Under Cover
Tidy

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Coastal and exposed windy sitesArchitectural container centrepieceSubtropical-style border in mild regions

Companion Plants

Phormium Agapanthus Yucca SedumRosemary

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Cabbage Tree questions

What zones can Cabbage Tree grow in?

Cabbage Tree is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Cabbage Tree deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Cabbage Tree, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Cabbage Tree bloom?

Cabbage Tree typically blooms in early summer through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Cabbage Tree need full sun?

Cabbage Tree does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Cabbage Tree drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Cabbage Tree handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.