Light
Very bright / some direct • approx. 20,000–40,000 lux
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Asparagaceae
Cordyline australis 'Red Star'
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Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
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- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
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Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots, Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro, How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
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Cordyline australis 'Red Star'
Quick Care Guide
Watering
Water when ~40–60% dry
Substrate
Moisture-retentive but aerated • Evenly moist • Organic-leaning • Fine-medium
Temperature
Ideal: 5–24 °C • Avoid below: -5 °C
Humidity
Normal 40–50 %
Growth habit
Upright cane-forming woody perennial.
Support
not needed
Growth speed
Average
Max size indoors
Max. height: 200 cm • Max. spread: 90 cm
Toxicity & safety
Toxic
Origin & habitat
Cultivar of Cordyline australis; species native to New Zealand
Outdoor growing
Outside from 5 °C · winter-protected spot
How to read these values
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
- Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
- Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
- Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
- Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.
- Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
- Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
- Growth speed: expected pace under suitable indoor conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term indoor size under good conditions.
- Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
- Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
- Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.
Cordyline australis 'Red Star'
Bronze-red to burgundy leaves rise from the centre of Cordyline australis 'Red Star', a red-leaved form of the New Zealand cabbage tree. Young plants stay narrow and need little pruning. As it matures, the leaf head slowly lifts and a stem can develop.
This plant belongs to the Cordyline australis species group and shares the same basic growth habit. The darker leaves give the plant a deeper red look than green Cordyline forms. Keep it in a bright, sheltered spot. Low light can make new leaves softer or greener, while sudden harsh sun can mark the foliage.
Red foliage and growth
- Bronze-red to burgundy strap-like leaves
- Narrow head of leaves rising from the centre
- Cultivated form of Cordyline australis
- Suits bright indoor positions and sheltered patio pots
- Needs shelter from frost, cold wind and prolonged wet soil
Growth and background
Cordyline australis is native to New Zealand and belongs to Asparagaceae. 'Red Star' starts as a compact leafy head and can form a visible stem as it matures. In mild, sheltered outdoor conditions, older plants may eventually become taller and branch.
'Red Star' refers to the red-toned leaves. Treat it like a potted Cordyline australis: bright light, steady moisture, drainage and winter shelter.
Cordyline australis 'Red Star' care
- Light: Give bright, sheltered light. Gentle sun is suitable after acclimation; move it into stronger sun gradually.
- Watering: Keep the substrate evenly moist during warm active growth. Reduce watering in cooler months.
- Substrate: Use a free-draining mix with mineral material or loam-based structure. Choose a mix that drains well and does not stay wet around the roots.
- Pot choice: Use a stable pot with drainage holes as the plant gets taller.
- Temperature: Protect from frost. Young and container-grown plants need reliable winter shelter.
- Humidity: Normal indoor humidity is acceptable when light and watering are steady.
- Feeding: Feed lightly while new leaves are forming. Good light has more effect on leaf colour than feeding more often.
- Repotting: Move up gradually into a slightly larger pot when roots crowd the container.
- Outdoor use: Use outdoors in the warm season only after acclimation. Choose a bright, sheltered patio or balcony position.
Colour and stress signs
- Greenish or stretched new growth: Light may be too low. Move gradually into a brighter position.
- Brown tips and edges: Check watering consistency, salt build-up, dry heated air and cold draughts.
- Soft top or lower stem: Cold wet soil can damage the roots and growing point.
- Fine webbing or speckled leaves: Check for spider mites, especially in warm, dry indoor air.
Pet safety
Cordyline australis 'Red Star' is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children.
About the name
Cordyline comes from Greek kordyle, meaning club, referring to swollen underground parts in the genus. Australis means southern.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.
FAQs about Cordyline australis 'Red Star'
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