A tropical plant that is commonly used in combination with flowering annuals in outdoor pots and sometimes in gardens. It provides a nice red color. An extremely tough plant
Plant Type
All Plants, Perennial Tender
Hardiness Zone
7-10
Sunlight
mostly sunny, half day morning sun, some shade, may tolerate full, in full sun may need a little more water (hardiness zone #5)
Moisture
average
Soil & Site
average
Growing Media
average patio
Temperature
hardy to about 10-20 degrees F
Leaves
broad spear shaped, dark burgundy-bronze leathery leaves around a single stem
Dimensions
If over wintered and grown on for a few years, can reach 3-4 feet by 3-4 feet, reaches 25 feet in frost free areas
Maintenance
remove dead leaves mostly from the base of the plant, has strong apical dominance, cutting back the plant will promote branching
Propagation
tip cuttings or stem section cuttings either stuck vertical with correct orientation or laid on it's side, helps to let the cut callus
Native Site
Species plant native to Australia.
Misc Facts
Reported to the same plant as Red Star Cordyline?
Author's Notes
In zone #5 it can be grown as a patio plant than over wintered in a bright window.
Notes & Reference
#156-San Marcos Growers web site (www.smgrowers.com)