N
InsightHorizon Digest

Can I cut the top off my Cordyline

Author

John Parsons

Updated on April 11, 2026

The secret with keeping your cordylines in good shape – and colour – is to be ruthless and cut off their heads! Yes! … So when a cordyline becomes too tall and straggly for its position, take a clean, sharp pair of secateurs, shears or loppers and remove top growth, leaving about 1 foot (40 cms) of bare stem.

How do you shorten a 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.

How tall will a Cordyline grow?

Also known as cabbage palms, cordylines are evergreen shrubs or palm-like trees from New Zealand. Young plants look like a low fountain of strappy foliage, then as they mature they form a strong stem and can reach 3–10m (10–30ft) tall, resembling an exotic palm.

How do I make my cordylines bushy?

Yes, by pinching or damaging the growing tip will stimulate the growth of side shoots, if the plant is too tall you can even cut the top off to the desired height.

Can you cut and replant Cordyline?

Propagating cordylines Colin loves that cordylines are so easy to propagate. Cut the stem quite low to the ground. The original plant will reshoot and what you remove becomes the propagating material. Cut the stem into sections at least 30cm in length.

Can I move a large cordyline?

If you’d like to move a Cordyline tree it’s much easier than other trees because the root forms one big ball near the base like a palm, so you just need to water heavily, dig around to find the root mass and clear soil without damaging the roots. … This is obviously easier to do when the tree is still small.

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.

Do Cordylines like sun or shade?

Cordylines are dramatic and eye-catching and yet solidly dependable garden plants which are easy to maintain and rarely suffer from pests and diseases. However, they do need a well-drained soil that is in sun or part shade.

What is the difference between Dracaena and cordyline?

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.

How do you cut cordyline leaves?

Once your Cordyline flowers have completely died the flower stems can be cut right back using a sharp knife or secateurs and it is also well worthwhile cutting back any dead leaves again using a sharp knife/secateurs and the leaves need to be cut back as close as possible to the main trunk – whatever you do do not pull …

Article first time published on

How tall does a cordyline Red Star grow?

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 long do Cordylines take to root?

Roots should develop within 2 months and you can pot them into tubs/containers or directly into the ground.

Why are the tips of my cordyline going brown?

Browning leaves can occur from underwatering, overwatering, tap water, or low humidity. If the leaves on your cordyline are turning a crispy brown then underwatering might be the culprit, but if they’re turning dark brown and mushy then it might be overwatering. Water when the top 25-50% of soil is dry.

How do you know if your cordyline is dying?

Discolored and undersize leaves are usually the first symptoms to appear. The foliage falls off prematurely and the entire plant may die. To prevent armillaria root rot, do not over-water plants or let the roots sit in water for an extended time.

Why has my cordyline got brown tips?

This problem mainly occurs on plants with narrow pointed leaves, like dracaenas (Dracaena spp.), cordylines (Cordyline spp.) … Usually when a leaf tip turns brown, it’s because it didn’t receive its share of moisture while the rest of the leaf did… or excess salts have migrated to the leaf.

Are Cordyline roots deep?

Weather you do decide to try a transplant or plant a new tree, a mature Cordyline australis can grow between 12 to 20m in height and that’s a very large root mass under the ground, so I would say plant in an area with good light and at least 4 to 5m away from any structure.

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.

When should I move my plants?

A Generally, autumn is the best time for moving plants. However, most evergreen shrubs and trees should only be moved when their roots are active; early October or March is best.

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 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.

Is there a green Cordyline?

Cordyline fruticosa Glauca is an attractive plant, forming dense upright clusters of rich, deep green foliage. … Their common names include Hawaiian Ti Plant, Good Luck Plant and Ti Plant.

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 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.

When should I repot Cordyline UK?

Repot every three years with a ‘Houseplant’ labelled compost & the next sized pot. Mealybugs & Spider Mites are common pests will all types of Cordylines; check in the cubbyholes of the stems & beneath the leaf arches for possible outbreaks.

Why are my Cordyline leaves splitting?

Splitting Leaves in Plants Leaves splitting down the middle of plants, like indoor orchids, are often a response to low humidity. Check your plant regularly to ensure it’s getting enough water and that any trays kept beneath it to increase humidity are adequately filled.

How do you cut red cordyline?

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.

How do you keep a cordyline Red?

“Red Star Spike” cordyline benefits from regular application of a balanced, dry fertilizer once every month from late spring until late summer. Apply 4 tablespoons of fertilizer for every 10 square feet of planting space.

Should I cut the brown tips off my plant?

Should you cut off dying leaves? Yes. Remove brown and dying leaves from your house plants as soon as possible, but only if they’re more than 50 percent damaged. Cutting off these leaves allows the remaining healthy foliage to receive more nutrients and improves the plant’s appearance.

How do you revive a dying 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.

Why do Cordyline leaves turn yellow?

Too much water can cause leaf tips and edges to turn yellow, while too little water can cause yellowing and leaf drop. … Fungal diseases such as fusarium leaf spot can cause yellowing plant leaves. Watering at the base of the plant will help prevent diseases, but a badly infected plant should be discarded.

What kills a Cordyline?

There is a product called Yates Tree & Blackberry Weed Killer. It is a systemic product which, when sprayed or painted onto the freshly cut surface will enter the sap stream and destroy the plant growth. You will need to follow the directions for the ‘cut stump treatment’.