If you’re in the mood for some steamy summer colors in your landscape, you can’t go wrong with Cordyline.
It’s a rugged plant that used to be pitched as a houseplant called Dracaena, but it now finds itself in low-maintenance landscapes outside.
Not only is Cordyline appropriate for pots, it dresses up the shady or sunny corners of the wider landscape, too. And it is especially useful near pools, rarely dropping a leathery leaf.
Not many plants are happy on a hillside, but Cordyline is, tolerating the tough conditions there and often dry conditions because water runs off the top of the surface soil instead of seeping in.
So tolerant is Cordyline that it even thrives in dark outdoor entryways where other plants won’t last a week.
Don’t get me wrong, Cordyline still makes an excellent houseplant, but it needs a bright indirect sun to thrive indoors.
In fact, its sibling the Ti plant survives all kinds of abuse at the hands of non-gardeners. Think of all the bad things you can do to a Ti plant and get away with.� Actually take care of your Cordyline and it will reward you with beautiful foliage. � �
These days, the most sought-after Cordylines lean red – anything from a washed brick color to deep burgundies and browns. That makes them especially pretty planted with silvers and pinks, or pops of chartreuse green.
The International Cordyline Society at Cordyline.org says that even though they are tropical, it doesn’t mean tender. The website says they are as tough as “old leather boot laces.”
The experts say Cordylines thrive best with regular water in fast-draining soil. What plant doesn’t? But Cordylines can tolerate drought more than most plants. One way to kill them for good is letting them sit in too-wet soil for too long.
Potash enhances their color. To get a good dose of potash, look for a high third number on the fertilizer bag. An extreme example of a plant food high in potash would be 0-0-20 or plant foods sold for root crops.
Houseplants should be watered with lukewarm water so the plant won’t drop its leaves. One direction you don’t want to go with your Cordyline is all skinny stem with a few leaves on top. You’ve seen too many of those.
Contact the writer: cmcnatt@ocregister.com
