Cordyline australis aka Cabbage Palm

Cordyline australis, or cabbage tree, is native to New Zealand. It belongs to the asparagus family and keeps its leaves year-round. It grows along forest edges and in open ground near swamps. Garden trees reach about 13–26 feet [4–8 metres] tall. Their spread reaches 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres]. Other accounts give heights up to 30 feet [9.1 metres]. Wild trees can reach 60 feet [18.3 metres].

The tree forms one trunk or several upright trunks. Stout branches carry dense leaf tufts at their tips. Young plants have a fountain of leaves without a visible trunk. The long, gray-green leaves have a narrow, sword-like shape. They can reach 3 feet [0.9 metres] in length. Gray bark develops cracks and feels corky and soft. Growth runs at a moderate pace. Trees may take 20–50 years to reach full size.

Small white or cream flowers grow in large panicles. Their scent adds interest in late spring and early summer. Outdoor trees often need six to ten years before flowering. Plants in pots seldom bloom, even when they grow tall. Small white berries follow the flowers and provide food for birds. The flowers also draw pollinators. Its bold form suits coastal gardens and planting as an accent. Gardeners also grow it in patio pots or as a houseplant.

Give it sun or part shade and a sheltered site. It accepts clay, loam, sand, and chalk with good drainage. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils all suit it. Moist, rich soil gives good growing conditions, though established plants tolerate drought. Keep pot soil moist in summer, then reduce water indoors in winter. Its taproot needs a deep pot with ample root space. RHS rates it H3, suited to mild UK coastal areas. US guidance places it in zones 9–11. It needs little pruning. Mealybugs, scale, and spider mites can attack indoor plants. Slime flux may occur; honey fungus is a rarer risk.

People have used its leaf fibres for ropes, baskets, and paper. Food uses include baked roots, prepared trunk pith, and young shoots. Roots and stems provide sugar, while leaves are very fibrous. These food uses do not mean the plant is pet-safe. Its saponins are toxic to dogs and cats. Eating it can cause vomiting, drooling, and loss of appetite.