Cordyline terminalis (Good Luck Plant, Good Luck Tree)


Botanical Information

FamilyAsparagaceae
GenusCordyline
Speciesterminalis
SynonymsCordyline fructiosa
CategoryTropicals, Woody
OriginSoutheastern Asia, eastern Australia and Hawaii
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Leaves of this plant have been used in Hawaii to make hula skirts and provide edible rhizomes for food.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10 - 12
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH1b - H3
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)1 - 15
Temperature (°F)33.8 - 59
Height2 - 5 m
Spread0.9 - 3.5 m
GrowthMedium

Description and Growing Information

ID CharacteristicGrown for distinct foliage, with the new leaves emerging as a bright pinkish-red.
LandscapeBest suited for houseplant use.
PropagationBy stem sections.
CultivationPart to full shade in a well-drained, peaty potting mixture. Needs consistently moist soil during the active growing season, water sparingly during the winter.
PestsAphids, scale, spider mites and mealybugs.
Notable SpecimensSuan Packkad Palace, Bangkok, Thailand.
Leaf DescriptionStiletto shaped leaves grow up to 76 cm long and 15 cm wide.
Flower DescriptionShowy, fragrant and grow at the end of 30 cm long panicles.
Colour DescriptionFlowers range from white to pink to pale lavender. When leaves first emerge they are pinkish red, but mature to deep green. Berries are red.

Photographs