Cordyline stricta

slender palm lily
Upright, trunking, with delicate, tropical green leaves. Great for pots, screens. Prunable.
height 1–5ft
width 1–3ft
tolerates Narrow Planting, Pots
water
needs		 When soil surface is dry.
water
info		 This plant wants water when the top of the soil is dry, but you can still feel moisture just below the surface. This plant will often fall into a once-a-week watering cycle, but remember that your watering should be based on the moisture left in the soil, which will depend partly on the moisture in the room and the weather outside. The soil surface layer goes a bit deeper for larger pots; for example, a plant in a 14-inch diameter pot should dry out a couple of inches deep before you water it, while a plant in a 4-inch pot will only want to dry out in the top half inch or so of soil.

This is a summer grower and will be tolerant of more water during that time. It will be tolerant of underwatering during the winter.
hardy
to		 24F
exposure Bright Indirect – Direct Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Indoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Ground: Planting Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Potting Soil
fertilizing All Purpose 1/2 Strength
origin E Australia
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 15–23, H1, H2

Sunset Zones Map

Indoor Exposure Guide

Growing Notes

Cordylines are versatile houseplants. These upright cordylines have a clean vertical form, but also respond well to a hard pruning back (even all the way to the ground) and will send new growth out wherever they are cut back. By cutting multiple canes at different levels you can get a nice staggered effect and maximize screening.
Once the older lower leaves dry up they can be pulled cleanly away, exposing a textured trunk.
Cordylines are an excellent choice for a pot, where they are low-maintenance plants for the long term.
If the plant is put right in a south or west facing window keep an eye out for burning on the flat sides of the leaves facing the sun, and move it deeper into the room if you see this burning. The trick is to get it in as much light as possible without burning it.

Special Interest

This plant has been raised to live indoors; however, it can also grow outdoors in mild areas of California. Keep in mind that the plant will go through a stressful transition, especially if moved outside in particularly hot, cold, or wet weather. Even if this plant will eventually thrive in direct sunlight, it has not been grown in this level of light, so if you plant it in direct sun, just expect that the leaves may burn at first, then happily regrow as they acclimate to the new levels of light. Planting in the spring or fall will help with this transition.