Cabbage tree (Cordyline fruticosa)

Overview

The Cordyline fruticosa, commonly known as the Cabbage tree, brings striking vertical interest and year-round foliage to tropical and subtropical landscapes. Valued for its long, lance-shaped leaves that often emerge in vibrant colors, this plant serves as an excellent specimen or accent piece in warm climates. It is a substantial, long-lived broadleaf evergreen that easily reaches heights between 9 and 15 feet outdoors.

This plant thrives best when provided with protection from harsh elements, preferring consistent moisture levels and well-drained soil. While native to tropical regions of Eastern Asia, the Cabbage tree is hardy only in USDA Zones 10 through 12 if grown outdoors year-round. Gardeners outside this range must treat the Cordyline fruticosa as a container specimen or a seasonal outdoor display plant.

Aesthetically, the Cordyline fruticosa contributes lush, dramatic texture, sometimes featuring colored or variegated foliage depending on the cultivar. While flowering is rare indoors, mature outdoor specimens can grace the garden with highly fragrant, showy white to pale lavender blooms followed by attractive red berries.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Asparagaceae
• Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
• Native Range: Eastern Asia
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 9-15 ft
  • Spread: 3-8 ft
• Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
• Bloom Description: White to pale lavender
• Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

For optimal growth, plant the Cabbage tree in a location protected from direct, intense afternoon sun, favoring part shade or bright, indirect light. It performs best in tropical environments where it can be situated in well-drained, peaty soil that remains evenly moist throughout the growing season, especially from spring through fall. Intolerant of salt spray and prolonged periods of drought, plan placements away from coastal exposure or dry areas.

Watering is critical for this moisture-loving species. Ensure consistently moist ground conditions during active growth; however, allow the surface to dry slightly before watering again. In cooler seasons, the plant appreciates a resting period where watering can be reduced, though it does not require a full winter dormancy. Gardeners in areas colder than Zone 10 grow Cordyline fruticosa indoors, where providing high humidity is crucial; consider using humidifiers near the plant.

If growing the Cabbage tree as a houseplant, a minimum temperature of 65°F must be maintained in winter. If growing outdoors in suitable zones, pruning is generally minimal, though lower leaves will naturally drop off as the shrub ages, revealing the stem. Propagation is simple using stem sections, often called Ti logs, which root readily when placed on moist gravel.

Landscape Uses

The Cordyline fruticosa excels as a striking accent plant, providing vibrant vertical structure in mixed borders or tropical theme gardens. Its substantial size, reaching up to 15 feet, allows it to function as a small, multi-stemmed tree, immediately drawing the eye. For a dramatic grouping effect, plant several Cabbage trees together to create a dense screen of dramatic foliage, leveraging cultivars with richly colored leaves for maximum impact.

When utilizing the Cordyline fruticosa indoors, it serves as an excellent focal point in bright rooms, provided high ambient humidity can be maintained. In outdoor settings, pair it with contrasting textures, such as low-growing ferns or coarse-leaved bromeliads, to amplify the visual difference between the thin, lanceolate leaves of the Ti plant and its neighbors.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Fragrant

Fruit Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Cordyline fruticosa, commonly called Ti plant, typically grows as a short tree or shrub to 10’ tall in its native habitat of tropical Southeast Asia, eastern Australia and some Pacific islands including Hawaii. This is a long-lived broadleaf evergreen that features thin lance shaped leaves (to 30” long and 6” wide) that emerge pinkish red, but mature to deep green. The genus name references the Greek word kordyle meaning a club, while the specific epithet means shrubby or dwarf.

Tolerances

This list is intentionally left blank as no specific tolerances were provided beyond known intolerances.

Potential Problems

Growers should routinely inspect Cordyline fruticosa for common houseplant pests, particularly if grown indoors or in greenhouse environments. Watch for aphids, scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs, which can cluster on the undersides of the leaves or along the stems.

Management starts with consistent monitoring. Isolate new plants before introducing them to existing collections. If pests are detected, treatment should begin immediately using horticultural oil or insecticidal soap applied thoroughly to all leaf surfaces. Maintaining excellent air circulation can help mitigate fungal issues, though the main threats involve sucking insects damaging the aesthetic appeal of the foliage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Cabbage tree suitable for?

The Cordyline fruticosa is hardy outdoors in USDA Zones 10 through 12. In colder regions, it must be brought indoors before temperatures drop significantly.

How large does Cabbage tree grow?

When given ideal tropical conditions, the Cabbage tree can reach a height of 9 to 15 feet, though it typically spreads between 3 and 8 feet wide. Indoors, expect a smaller size, often 3 to 6 feet tall.

What sun exposure does Cordyline fruticosa need?

This plant thrives in part shade to full shade conditions. While it tolerates slightly sunnier spots, gardeners must ensure that soil moisture needs are rigorously met to prevent leaf scorch from direct afternoon sun.

When does Cabbage tree bloom?

Cordyline fruticosa is a seasonal bloomer, typically producing panicles of scented, white to pale lavender flowers in the summer months, although flowering is rare for indoor specimens.

Conclusion

The Cabbage tree (Cordyline fruticosa) provides unparalleled tropical flair through its substantial size and dramatic leaf structure, making it a worthwhile investment for warm-climate gardeners or dedicated plant collectors. Ensure you match its medium water needs and preference for shaded, high-humidity environments for the best results. Check your local hardiness zone and plan to protect this stunning evergreen if frost threatens your area.

Propagation Tips

Growing new Cordyline fruticosa plants is rewarding, particularly as they can be propagated from stem sections referred to commercially as Ti logs. To propagate, obtain a healthy stem section, which should ideally have a few nodes attached, and remove most of the lower foliage, leaving only a few leaves at the top.

The rooting process is straightforward: simply place the base or cut end of the stem section onto a bed of moist media, such as perlite or gravel, ensuring high humidity is maintained around the cutting. Roots will begin to emerge from the nodes within several weeks to a couple of months. Once a robust root system has developed, the young plant can be carefully transplanted into its preferred well-drained, peaty potting mixture.

Container Growing

For gardeners in zones outside the tropical range, container culture is the ideal method for enjoying the Cordyline fruticosa. Success in pots relies entirely on soil quality and providing adequate environmental management. Use a very well-drained, light, and peat-based potting mix to mimic its native preference and prevent waterlogging, which is a major issue for potted plants.

When growing the Cabbage tree in containers, pay close attention to water requirements, ensuring the soil stays consistently moist but never soggy from spring through autumn. As the plant grows, it will become root-bound, requiring up-springing into a larger container every few years. During winter rest for indoor plants, reduce watering frequency significantly, allowing the potting medium to dry out more between waterings while maintaining that critical minimum temperature of 65°F.