This suckering shrub has solitary upright stems that are marked from leaf scars and forms a clump. It has green, red or variegated strap-like leaves and the white to purple cup-shaped flowers appear in a cluster in late spring, followed by pendant red berries.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Cordyline fruticosa is naturally found from south-east Asia to the northern east coast of Australia growing in forests in well drained organic rich moist soils that are tending acidic. It prefers a semi shaded protected position and is drought and frost tender.

The Good Luck Tree is grown for its foliage and is planted along borders for screening or around pools and water features for a tropical effect. It is also planted in courtyards and against buildings singularly or in groups and establishes in 3 to 5 years. If grown under glass it requires bright light for green leaved plants and filtered light for the coloured leaves. ID 482

Note:
The plants may prune to encourage branching and older plants may be reduced to almost ground level to rejuvenate.

Cordyline (kor-DI-li-nee) fruticosa (froo-tih-KOH-suh)

Asparagaceae (a-SPARE-uh-gus-AY-see-ee)