Cordyline Stricta $25

Slender Palm Lily, Narrow-leaved Palm Lily

Cordyline stricta has narrow, strappy leaves 30-50cm long and 1-2.5cm wide, which tend to be crowded near the top of the stem and leaving scars. There is no distinction between a leaf blade and petiole. When grown in the garden it can reach about 5m high, with highly branched stems that can sprawl or arch. It remains around 2-3m tall when grown in pots, and has a sparser, more compact growth habit.

Cordyline stricta is already a popular ornamental plant. It can grow in sun or shade, and in shallow or deep soils. Though it thrives in moist conditions, it is very drought tolerant; so an established plant should require little supplemental watering. It is frost-tender, so in cold climates it should be placed under cover or near a northeast-facing wall. If it is damaged by frost or desiccation, it can resprout when conditions are better. Its tolerance of low light and water also make it an attractive and low-maintenance potplant for indoors or outdoors.