Kordylina - cultivation, varieties, diseases

Table of contents

Cordillin(Cordyline) is a versatile and effective houseplant, characterized by decorative, vividly colored leaves. The attractive, palm-like habit and interesting appearance of cordillin leaves make it look great in modern interiors. See whatgrowing cordilin looks likein an apartment, what requirements does this plant have and learn about popularspecies and varieties of cordilinWe also advise whatdiseases of cordilinmay appear while growing it.


Australian cordillin and shrub corddylina

Kordylina - popular species and varieties

There are two most common types of cordillin in cultivation:Australian cordilin(Cordyline australis) andshrub cordilin , also known as cordyline terminalis , syn. C. fruticosa). Sometimes you can meet the third type of cordilin -erect cordilin(Cordyline stricta), but it is grown very rarely here.
Australian cordillinproduces long (up to 100 cm), thin, saber-like, pointed leaves, set on short petioles. They grow at the top of an unbranched trunk, bending gently downwards, forming the shape of a fountain. When grown indoors, it can reach a height of up to 2 m. Australian cordillin leaves, depending on the variety, can be green, maroon and striped.

The most popular varieties of Australian cordillin are:

  • Purpurea- with a reddish-purple color of the leaves
  • Red Star- with red-brown leaves
  • Torbay Dazzler- green leaves with distinct creamy-cream stripes on the edges
  • Sundance - green leaves with a red stripe running through the center of the leaf blade and pink-red underside
  • Albertii- with matt green leaves with a delicate red blush and cream stripes on the edges

Bush cordillinhas lanceolate leaves, 30-40 cm long and 10 cm wide. They grow along the stem, arranged opposite, they are seated on long, obliquely raised petioles. It has a bushy habit, unlike other cordillin species. The leaves of the shrub cordillin are striped and colored green, pink, red or purple in color. Variety representatives most often have a combination of several colors. Plants reach a height of 30-60 cm.
The most interestingly coloredvarieties of shrub cordillininclude:

  • Lord Robertson- with red-green-cream leaves
  • Prince Albert- with light and dark red leaves
  • Red Edge- miniature form, with burgundy-green leaves with a red-pink border
  • Chocolate Queen- green-brown leaves with light streaks
  • Compacta- with dark green leaves with light green streaks
  • Kiwi- with striped, yellow-green leaves with a contrasting pink edge

How to distinguish cordilin from dracaena?

Cordillin is very often confused with dracaena . These two separate types, however, have several characteristics. Here are thedifferences between cordilin and dracaena :

    The veins of the leaves are pinnate, and those of the dracenes are parallel
  1. Cordillin roots are knotty and white with large club-shaped tubers, while in dracaena the roots are straight, smooth and yellow-red
  2. In cordylins, the leaves are embedded in petioles, and in dracaena leaves completely enclose the stem.

Kordylina - cultivation

1. Cordillin cultivation position and temperature
The cordilines require a bright position all year round , however, they must not be exposed to direct sunlight. In slightly shaded places, the cordlin leaves lose their characteristic color and turn green. With too little light, the cordillin dies.
Bush cordillin has high thermal requirementsThe optimal temperature for growth is 20-24 ° C. With high air humidity, it can withstand temperatures up to 28 ° C. In winter, the air temperature in the room must not fall below 15 ° C. The optimal wintering temperature for shrub cordillin is 16-18 ° C.
Australian cordilin is less demanding in terms of temperatureIt prefers lower temperatures - in summer 18-20 ° C, and in winter 5- 15 ° C.Low thermal requirements allow for the cultivation of Australian cordillin on the terrace or in the garden. It can grow outdoors from the second half of May to September, and with favorable weather conditions even until October.
2. Watering the cordilin
Cordylines should be watered regularlybecause they are sensitive to water shortages. Even a short-term drying of the substrate affects the he alth and appearance of the plant. The leaves then turn brown and dry. The substrate in the pot should never be completely dry, but neither should water remain in the tray. During the growing season,cordillin should be watered 1-2 times a weekDuring the rest period, October-February, we limit watering, but try not to excessively dry the substrate.
Cordillin requires high air humidity(70-78%). For optimal conditions for the plants, fog them daily. Additionally, the pot with cordilin should be placed on a stand filled with water and stones.A good solution is to place an air humidifier near the plants.Too dry air causes browning and falling leaves of the cordillinThe bush cordillin is particularly sensitive to the lack of moisture in the air.
3. Substrate for growing and fertilizing with cordilin
It is best to use a palm substrate for the cultivation of cordillinBefore planting the plant, make sure to put a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot, which will keep moisture away from the roots. Cordillin is best grown in tall and narrow pots due to the structure of the root system.We replant cordilines every 2-3 yearsin spring (March).

We fertilize cordilines from March to Augustevery 2-3 weeks during watering. For feeding it is best to use palm fertilizer (eg Target Liquid fertilizer for dracaena, yucca and palm trees 0.5 l). Fertilization is especially necessary when new cordillin leaves grow small and misshapen.

Kordylina - diseases

The most commonproblems when growing cordillinresult from improper growing conditions.
Ifthe leaves of cordillin turn brown, their ends and edges dry up or the leaves of the cordillin turn yellow and fall off, it may mean prolonged drying or flooding of the substrate. Such symptoms can also be caused by too dry air in the room (relative humidity about 60% and less) or too intensive fertilization.Bright and dry spots on cordillin leavesare caused by sunburn.
When the cordillin leaves curl and become softand brown spots appear on the surface, the temperature in the growing area is too low.Blackening edges of cordillin leavesis a result of meager watering or a cold draft.
Too much watering and a lack of light, combined with low temperature, can lead todieback and rotting of the inside of the cordillin crown .
Cordillin can also be attacked by fungal diseases. The most common pathogens are transported along with the substrate. In such cases, the lower leaves of the cordillinusually turn yellow and wilt , they may also have stains, and after removing the plant from the substrate, you can observerotting of the cordillin rootsThese types of symptoms may indicate that the plant is infected by fungi causing rot, fusariosis or phytophthora. Unfortunately, the infected plant must be discarded, and the other plants growing nearby should be watered with a fungicide as a precaution. You can also use the natural plant strengthening preparation Biosept Active.
Thrips and hoppy spider mites may appear on cordillin from pests.

MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach

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