T
The Daily Insight

How tall are Cordyline Red Stars

Author

Lily Fisher

Published May 07, 2026

Moderate growing; reaches 8 to 10 ft. tall, 5 ft. wide. Red Star Cordyline works well in a modern or tropical landscape, or in a decorative patio container planted alone or with complementary perennials.

How big does a Cordyline Red Star get?

Cordyline australis ‘Red Star’ (Cabbage palm ‘Red Star’) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 10-20 years.

How tall will a Cordyline get?

Cordyline can grow 3 feet tall with red, pink, or bi-colored leaves.

Do red Cordylines like sun or shade?

For best results grow Cordyline australis ‘Red Star’ in a sunny, well-drained spot away from cold winter winds. Alternatively grow in a large container which you can move indoors in autumn.

Do you cut back red star cordyline?

Cordylines are unlike conventional shrubs or palms so it can be confusing to know how to prune them, if at all. Pruning generally should be limited to removing dead leaves and spent flowers. Where plants have been hit by hard frost they should be cut back hard, as you have done, in spring.

Is cordyline a palm?

Cordyline is sometimes known as cabbage palm, New Zealand cabbage tree or Torbay palm, although it isn’t actually a palm tree or anything to do with cabbage. The most widely grown species is Cordyline australis which is native to New Zealand.

Is Cordyline Red Star a tree?

Cordyline australis ‘Red Star’ (Red Grass Tree) – This is a palm-like, sub-tropical tree that grows with an upright habit and with age will branch to produce several heads. This cultivar is a showy and vigorous plant with very dark reddish-bronze sword-like leaves. … A great container plant.

How do I keep my cordyline small?

To keep your cordyline healthy, remove lower foliage as it starts to look tired. Start from the lowest leaves and work up, and they should pull off easily. Some varieties can become very leggy (all trunk with only a little foliage up top). These can be cut back severely.

Are Red cordylines Hardy?

Although they have a tropical air, Cordylines can cope with temperatures down to –5oC (20oF), so are hardy in most areas. In very cold regions it is worth tying the leaves up to the stem so that the crown is protected from the worst of the winter weather.

What is the difference between cordyline and Dracaena?

Dracaena, another popular houseplant, is commonly confused with cordyline. They look similar and are both related to agave. One way to distinguish between the two is to check out the roots. On cordyline they will be white, while on dracaena the roots are yellow to orange.

Article first time published on

Is Cordyline fast growing?

The Growth Rate of Cordylines Cordylines that reach 20 years of age are not uncommon in established nurseries. Remember that it can take around four years for a stem cutting to achieve an acceptable size and 15 to 20 years for a cordyline to form a trunk and grow into a tree.

Can you cut back Cordyline?

You can chop the Cordyline back to any point you wish and new shoots will form just below the cut. I angled it slightly to let water run off and used a saw, it is incredibly easy to cut through. You could cut right down at the base and it will reshoot, almost always with multiple growing points.

What is a Red sister plant?

Red Sister plants (Cordyline fruticosa “Red Sister”) are a variety of evergreen tropical shrub that belongs to the lily family. … The Red Sister plants are cultivated for their dense, leathery leaves. They are not invasive, can be grown outside in extremely warm climates and are grown as houseplants in cooler areas.

Should I cut the brown leaves off my Cordyline?

You can cut off the brown tips, they tend to die back a bit at the end of summer and remove lower leaves if required. However as Winter is approaching it would be wise to protect the whole plant with horticultural fleece if it cannot be moved in to a greenhouse. Cordylines are susceptible to damage in low temperatures.

Can Cordyline survive winter?

Cordyline grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 12, but some species are only cold hardy to zones 9 or 10 and plants in zone 8 may die back over the winter.

How do you look after Red Star plants?

Water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Grow the plant in average well-draining soil. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10). Although pruning isn’t necessary with these plants, if you’d like a fuller look, you can cut back the tallest “heads,” which will promote sprouting from the sides.

Is Cordyline toxic to dogs?

The leaves are red or purple, which is what makes this such an attractive houseplant. In fact, these leaves are used in making hula skirts and other Hawaiian fashions. However, the saponin compound in the Hawaiian ti plant is dangerous to your pets and even to small children if they eat it.

Is Red Star cordyline a perennial?

Cordyline “Red Star Spike” (Cordyline “Red Star Spike”), is a tall, full, dramatic plant that puts on a show of color in flower beds or containers. … The plant is perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11.

Is cordyline native to Australia?

There are about 15 species of cordylines each with multiple varieties. Eight species are native to Australia, but over the years there has been much hybridisation. One to look out for is Cordyline ‘Negra’. … Among the most popular cordylines is ‘Pink Diamond’, a cordyline found in Thailand.

Is Cordyline Red Star poisonous to cats?

Cordyline ‘Red Star’ is a smaller cultivar, growing only 8 to 10 feet. It features uniquely colored red leaves and can be grown in containers in colder climates. Take care when adding this plant to your home or garden because it can be mildly toxic to humans and pets, including cats and dogs.

Do cordyline flowers smell?

In our mild climate, the cordyline blooms every year. The angular panicles are crammed with creamy flowers, which open in late spring, and go on for weeks. The scent — strongest in the evening — is powerful and lily-like. For me it is one of the exhilarating fragrances of early summer.

Can you grow Cordyline outside?

Cordyline varieties can thrive as outdoor plants or houseplants. … The cordyline plant is native to southeast Asia, eastern Australia, Hawaii, and other Pacific islands. Cordyline is a tropical plant in the dracaena family, and its ideal hardiness zone is where the average temperature is generally above 55°F.

What is the hardiest Cordyline?

The standard green Cordyline is the hardiest and the most established in the UK. The purple and reds vary in hardiness but are the next most established.

Is a Cordyline a grass?

Commonly known as Cabbage Palm, Cordyline plants are tufted evergreen foliage plants that form small trees with a stubby trunk, opening out into spiky leaves that looks like a huge pineapple top! … Cordyline grasses are best grown in a sunny, sheltered position and protected from frost.

Can cordylines take full sun?

Do Cordylines grow in full sun? Some Cordylines prefer full sun like C. … Most Cordylines prefer a a semi-shaded position with good light and some protection from the hot sun. Many varieties will however tollerate a sunny positon but they’ll take longer to establish and will not always have their best colour.

How big are Cordyline roots?

australis roots of diameters 0.6- 3.8 mm had mean tensile strengths in the range of 26.7-17.5 MPa, 30% less than those of most willow (Salix) species.

How tall do red sisters grow?

Planting & Growing When grown indoors, Red Sister Hawaiian Ti Plant can be expected to grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.

How tall does a red sister get?

In good conditions, Red Sister plants grow to a height of 4 to 6 feet and are slender shrubs. They produce fragrant white or purple blooms in late spring and early summer.

How do you grow Cordyline Red Sensation?

Thrives in deep, fertile, well-drained soils; shelter from harsh winds. Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to develop root system. Once established in landscape water regularly during growing season; reduce frequency in cooler winter months. Water container plants when soil surface becomes dry.

How do you rescue a Cordyline?

When all the leaves are cleared the best thing to do is grab the trunk and feel your way down the trunk until it feels very hard and woody – then cut the top of the Cordyline off. Over the summer it will reshoot along the stem and from the base again. These shoots will develop into full woody stems again.

How often should I water my Cordyline?

Make sure the plant has evenly moist soil and partial shade to full sun. Bright light brings out the brightest colors in the foliage. Provide ti with approximately 1 inch of water every week that it doesn’t rain, as the plant grows naturally in areas with high rainfall.