Cordyline australis 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm

The Cordyline australis 'Red Star', also known as the red cabbage palm, brings a touch of exotic elegance to any garden or outdoor space. This impressive plant, originally from New Zealand, stands out with its striking, brown-red, ribbon-shaped leaves that create a warm, lively atmosphere all year round. With a moderate growth rate, this evergreen shrub can reach a height of around 120 to 150 cm, making it ideal for solitary placement or as part of a diverse planting.

The Cordyline 'Red Star' is not only admirable for its aesthetics; this plant is also surprisingly versatile and adaptable. It thrives in sunny to semi-shaded locations and requires well-drained, slightly moist soil. Despite its tropical appearance, the cabbage palm is moderately hardy and can survive mild winters with the right care. Its ease of maintenance, combined with its majestic appearance, makes the Cordyline 'Red Star' an excellent choice for gardeners who want a striking garden feature with minimal effort.

The Cordyline australis 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm likes a sip of water

The Cordyline australis 'Red Star', known for its exotic flair and robust nature, requires attentive but not excessive watering to maintain its optimum health and growth. During the summer months, when the heat can be intense, this plant will require extra attention; sometimes it may be necessary to water twice a day, especially on the very hottest days. It is essential to monitor the moisture of the soil - a moist, but not soggy, soil medium is ideal. Outside of these peak periods, the Cordyline's water requirements will vary depending on the weather and soil moisture, with watering every 2-4 days being sufficient.

In winter, water requirements drop dramatically as the plant enters a dormant phase and external temperatures are cooler. During this time, it is important to avoid overwatering as the plant uses much less water. A minimum of watering, aimed at maintaining just enough moisture in the soil, is essential to avoid the risk of frost damage and root rot. Checking the soil moisture before watering helps to maintain a healthy balance, allowing the Cordyline australis 'Red Star' to continue to flourish during the cooler months.

Summer

During the summer it is very important that this plant, when it is outside, is kept well moist. Especially during the warm days it should be watered every day, so that the root ball is well moist. On the less warm days this can sometimes be skipped for a few days. This is so important because otherwise the plant 'drinks' moisture from its leaves, causing it to become dry and eventually die. This should of course be prevented.

Winter

When winter is upon us, the rules are reversed! If the 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm is outside, it must remain dry so that the moisture does not freeze and damage the plant. The 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm does not suffer from a dry root ball during this period, it is in a kind of hibernation!
When the plant is kept indoors during the winter it should be kept slightly moist, so not soaking wet (as in summer), but just so that the root ball feels slightly damp.

General rules

In addition to the above guidelines, it is best to follow these rules:

First, give the plant a little water. If the soil is dry within 2 days, it means it needs a little more water. Adjust the amount of water until it still feels slightly moist between 2 and 5 days after watering, and almost dry after 5 days. If it feels very wet after 5 days, wait until it is almost dry and water again, but reduce the amount.

Spraying

We recommend that you spray the 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm weekly with water. However, we do not recommend this during hot summer days, so that you do it either in the evening after sunset, or on days when the sun shines little, because the water droplets bundle the incoming sunlight into small points that become very hot. These cause the leaves to dry out, or even burn through.
Apart from the detrimental effect of bright sunlight on wet leaves, misting has beneficial effects for your 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm. Namely, it removes dust from the leaves, allowing them to better absorb sunlight and appear more beautiful, and it prevents certain types of pests.

Where is the best place to place the Cordyline australis 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm?

The Cordyline australis 'Red Star', with its graceful, brown-red leaves, adds a beautiful exotic element to any garden or balcony. For optimal growth and flowering, this evergreen plant requires a spot where it can bathe in full sun to partial shade. This makes it ideal for a sunny, sheltered corner, where it not only receives the light it needs, but also some protection from stronger winds that can feel cold.

The Cordyline australis 'Red Star' is not very demanding when it comes to temperature, but it is more sensitive to severe frost than its green counterparts. Overwintering in a cooler, protected place where the temperature does not drop below -3 to -5°C is advisable. Although it can tolerate a certain amount of drought, it is important to keep an eye on the humidity around the plant, especially during longer dry periods in the summer. A little extra attention during these times will ensure that the 'Red Star' retains its stunning appearance.

Light

The 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm is a plant that likes a fair amount of sunlight. It likes to be in full sun or half shade, taking in all the light. Is it indoors? Then it wants a spot near a window or where light comes in. The 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm requires at least 1 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day

Wind

Make sure that the 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm experiences as little wind as possible. Wind can damage the leaves, causing them to die off more quickly. A little wind is no problem.

Temperature requirements

Minimum temperature during the day: -15 ℃
At night minimum -15 ℃

Repotting, why and when?

Repotting is a crucial aspect of Cordyline australis 'Red Star' care to ensure that the plant remains healthy and can grow optimally. Ideally, Cordyline 'Red Star' should be repotted in the spring, just before the start of the growing season. This gives the plant a chance to adapt to its new environment and develop new roots in fresh, nutrient-rich soil before the start of summer.

The need for repotting is often indicated by the rooting of the current pot. When roots start to grow out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot or when the soil dries out quickly after watering, it is a sign that the plant needs more space to develop further. When repotting, choose a pot that is about 20% larger than the previous one, to encourage root growth without the plant being overwhelmed in a pot that is too large. Always ensure good drainage to prevent root rot and use a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil mix suitable for Mediterranean plants.

General rules

When the 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm has rooted (often every 2-3 years) we recommend repotting it in the spring. If it is always inside, it does not matter. If it is outside, it is not a problem to repot it in the summer, but we advise against it in the autumn and winter, because it will not grow and root optimally then. This can make it somewhat weak, and possibly suffer damage from frost.

When you choose to repot your 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm, choose a nice pot that is twice the size of the root ball. Place a layer of hydro grains at the bottom of the new pot, for better moisture control. It will thank you for that. Fill this layer with some Mediterranean potting soil. This type of soil ensures that the 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm roots optimally and is fed. Then you can place the root ball on the ground. Make sure that the top of the root ball is slightly below the edge of the pot. Aim for a difference of 2 to 6 cm. This difference ensures that the water does not run off the root ball when you water it.
Every year you should replace the top layer of soil, because it hardens and 'wears out' in nutrients, due to regular watering and because of the sunlight on the upper edge of the root ball.

Provide the Cordyline australis 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm with good nutrition

The Cordyline australis 'Red Star', with its beautiful red-bronze leaves, has specific nutritional requirements that are essential for its growth and flowering. It thrives best with a regular supply of nutrients, especially during the growing season in spring and summer. Using a fertilizer specifically designed for patio and Mediterranean plants can be ideal. These fertilizers contain a balanced mix of essential nutrients that support the plant in its development and in maintaining the vibrant leaf color.

A monthly feeding from early spring to late summer is recommended. Make sure that the fertilization is in accordance with the instructions on the packaging label to avoid over-fertilization, which can lead to damage to the plant. During the winter months, when the growth of the Cordyline australis 'Red Star' slows, feeding should be reduced or stopped so as not to disturb the healthy winter rest of the plant.

The importance of choosing the right nutrients and administering them correctly cannot be overemphasized. Not only does this ensure healthy growth and flowering, it also helps strengthen the plant against adverse weather conditions and diseases. Following these simple care tips will ensure that the Cordyline australis 'Red Star' is a striking and vital addition to the garden.

How and when should you prune the Cordyline australis 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm?

The leaves of the 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm will eventually wither. If this is the case with a leaf, you can simply cut the stem near the trunk. It is not a problem to cut off an entire leaf with the stem of the plant. This is the way the plant forms its trunk.

How can I propagate the Cordyline australis 'Red Star' - Red Cabbage Palm?

A fascinating addition to any garden or balcony, the Cordyline australis 'Red Star' not only offers aesthetic value but also the possibility of easy propagation, which can further enrich your green space. The most effective method of propagating this striking species is by cutting top cuttings or separating offshoots. In spring, when the plant is in its active growth phase, you can cut off a healthy top cutting and place it in moist soil. Make sure that the cutting receives sufficient moisture and warmth to encourage root formation. In addition, you can carefully separate offshoots that appear at the base of the plant and plant them in individual pots. These simple propagation methods increase your chances of spreading and sharing the beauty of the Cordyline 'Red Star', allowing more places to enjoy its tropical charm.