tī kōuka
about.
Cordyline australis | cabbage tree, tī, tī kōuka
An iconic New Zealand evergreen with a striking presence. Its long, sword-like leaves form a distinctive rosette, adding a bold architectural element to any landscape. This resilient and adaptable tree thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Attractive in groups or as a standalone specimen, it features multiple trunks topped with tufts of green foliage and sweetly scented flowers that bloom in early to mid-summer, followed by fruit in mid-summer to early autumn. It attracts pollinators and birds and thrives in most regions of New Zealand.
typical habitat.
coastal forest
montane forest
streamsides
forest margins
drainage.
dry
free draining
well drained
moist
wet
sun.
full sun
full shade
partial shade
mature specifications.
height | 12m (rarely 20m)
width | 2m (can be many branched trunk)
pollinators calendar.
flowering | (September-) October-December (-January)
fruiting | (December-) January-March
did you know?
Historically, cabbage trees played a significant role in marking important locations and events. Their longevity made them ideal plants to delineating trails and boundaries, marking urupā (cemeteries), and commemorating births.