Cabbage Palm

Cabbage Palm Overview

Cordylines - or Cabbage Palms - are large perennials, with a few short branches at the top when mature, that resemble palm trees and are grown in warmer climates as specimen plants in borders or courtyard gardens. When young, they can be grown indoors as a houseplant. Also known as Cabbage Trees, their leaves are long and leathery and grow in tufts or rosettes. Their unusual and sweetly scented cup-shaped flowers are borne on large stems above the foliage and are followed by small white, red, blue or purple berries. Cordyline is a genus of around 20 species of evergreen shrubs and tree-like, woody, flowering plants that provide architectural interest and a tropical feel to just about any garden. They are reasonably easy to grow and are tolerant of some shade and thrive in most soil types. Cordyline australis is popular in southern parts of the UK where it is often warm enough to grow them outdoors. This species is also drought resistant.