Cordyline Australis
Some Things You May Not Know About The Cordyline Australis
The cordyline australis is also known as the purple tower, red star, cabbage tree and cabbage palm. It is not, however, a palm tree. There are a great many species of this plant that come in different sizes and color yet they all look somewhat tropical characteristics and all very exotic.
The original species of the cordyline australis comes from New Zealand. It grows tall from one stem but then it eventually branches out into many crowns that will fork out after they finally produce a flowering stem. The leaves are shaped like long slender swords with many visible parallel veins in shades of purple, red or green and some can be multi-colored. This unique plant produces a very small white flower and an even smaller white berry. This plant is very high in carbohydrates and is used in cooking in some cultural food. The root and the trunk can actually be twisted tightly together into ropes to use for just about anything and the leaves are able to be woven to make clothing. It is a very practical plant with many uses. In addition to this, the juice from the cordyline Australia has been used to fight off infections with some people and beer has even been brewed from it.
This plant is mainly found in New Zealand, Europe and the northwestern portion of the United States. It gives a great tropical illusion to landscaping for those that live in colder climates but want to look and feel like it's a bit warmer outside. This is a plant that can survive just fine in the cold climate without much worry or fussing over too. These plants are usually grown outside but some smaller species are commonly put into pots or other containers and used as houseplants. It is important to note that a cordyline australis that is kept inside in a pot will rarely ever bloom so if yours doesn't bloom, do not assume that there is something wrong with it.
This cordyline australis is a very easy plant to grow and it is great for beginners who don't know a whole lot about soil types and location. All it really requires to flourish is fertilized, well drained soil and plenty of sunshine. If you keep it inside as a houseplant then it should be placed directly by a window where it can receive plenty of sunshine. It also requires a moderate amount of water so if you forget to water it one day you can be at ease watering it the next. Plants outside generally are fine with just rainfall unless it’s a dry season, then you may want to give it a drink every few days. If you are growing the plant from seeds then you should sow them in the spring when it reaches at least 60 degrees consistently without any risk of a night time frost occurring. This is a kind of plant that is more commonly bought and then transplanted though. Although this plant is a laid back species, it is not without its minor problems. It can attract scale insects, mealy bugs and spider mites so you should check your plant often to avoid infestations. Discovering a problem early is always beneficial is solving the problem. Other common downfalls are bacterial soft rot, fungal spots and root rot. Most problems that can be associated with the cordyline australis can easily be taken care the assistance of a pesticide or a fungicide.
This plant is a great decorative addition to your landscaping or indoor accents. They don't hog moisture away from neighboring plants so you can plant them virtually next to anything and they do not require a lot of room. If you are looking for an easy to grow, low-maintenance tropical plant with an exotic edge to it then the cordyline australis is probably a perfect plant choice for you.