Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm

The Cordyline Australis 'Pink Passion', commonly known as the pink cabbage palm, adds a distinct touch of colour and exoticism to any garden or interior space. This striking plant, with its vibrant bright pink to dark pink/purple foliage, is a real eye-catcher and will bring life to any environment. Originally from the western Pacific Rim, this palm is known for its slow growth, making it suitable for both spacious and confined spaces.

For lovers of special plants, the Cordyline 'Pink Passion' offers aesthetic value all year round. It can be used both outside in the garden and inside as a houseplant, provided it receives sufficient sunlight. Inside, it offers a tropical touch to the interior, while outside it lends itself perfectly as a solitary plant in the garden or as part of a mixed border. The moderate winter hardiness and the preference for a sunny to semi-shaded location make it a versatile and colorful asset for every plant lover.

The Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink cabbage palm likes a sip of water

The Cordyline Australis 'Pink Passion', enchanting with its striking pink foliage, requires regular attention to its watering needs to maintain the beauty of its colour and encourage healthy growth. This plant prefers a moist but well-drained soil, a balance that is essential to prevent its roots from sitting in water. During the warmer months, when the sun is at its strongest and the soil dries out more quickly, it is important to keep the soil consistently moist. This usually means watering the plant every few days, depending on the specific weather conditions and the plant's placement.

For both garden and indoor grown Cordylines, it is advisable to check the soil regularly; the top layer may dry out slightly between waterings, but the root ball should not dry out completely. During the winter months, when the plant slows down its growth, the frequency of watering can be reduced considerably. Then it is sufficient to water only when the soil feels dry a few centimetres deep.

Summer

During the summer it is very important that this plant, when it is outside, is kept well moist. Especially during the warm days it should be watered every day, so that the root ball is well moist. On the less warm days this can sometimes be skipped for a few days. This is so important because otherwise the plant 'drinks' moisture from its leaves, causing it to become dry and eventually die. This should of course be prevented.

Winter

When winter is just around the corner, the rules are reversed! If the Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm is outside, it must remain dry so that the moisture does not freeze and damage the plant. The Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm does not suffer from a dry root ball during this period, it is in a kind of hibernation!
When the plant is kept indoors during the winter it should be kept slightly moist, so not soaking wet (as in summer), but just so that the root ball feels slightly damp.

General rules

In addition to the above guidelines, it is best to follow these rules:

First, give the plant a little water. If the soil is dry within 2 days, it means it needs a little more water. Adjust the amount of water until it still feels slightly moist between 2 and 5 days after watering, and almost dry after 5 days. If it feels very wet after 5 days, wait until it is almost dry and water again, but reduce the amount.

Spraying

We recommend that you spray the Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink cabbage palm with water weekly. However, we do not recommend this during warm summer days, so that you do it either in the evening after sunset, or on days when the sun shines little, because the water droplets bundle the incoming sunlight into small points that become very hot. These cause the leaves to dry out, or even burn through.
Apart from the detrimental effect of bright sunlight on wet leaves, misting has beneficial effects for your Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm. Namely, it removes dust from the leaves, allowing them to better absorb sunlight and appear more beautiful, and it prevents certain types of pests.

Where is the best place to place the Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm?

The Cordyline Australis 'Pink Passion', better known as the pink cabbage palm, is a beautiful addition to both the garden and the interior, thanks to its bright pink to dark purple leaves. For optimal growth and to maintain the vibrant color of the leaves, this palm needs a spot that varies from full sun to partial shade. Although the palm can be placed indoors, it is crucial that it gets enough light, ideally at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. This ensures that the pink cabbage palm retains its striking leaf color both indoors and outdoors.

In terms of temperature, the pink cabbage palm is fairly hardy, down to -10 degrees Celsius, which indicates that it is well suited to the Dutch climate, although some protection during the coldest winter days is advisable. It is important to water the palm, especially in pots, to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Regularly checking the soil moisture, especially during warm periods, ensures that the plant remains healthy and beautiful. The pink cabbage palm shows a slight preference for a moist but well-drained soil, which indicates that excessive moisture should be avoided to prevent root rot.

Light

The Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm is a plant that likes a fair amount of sunlight. It likes to be in full sun or half shade, taking in all the light. Is it indoors? Then it wants a spot near a window or where there is some light. The Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm requires at least 1 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day

Wind

Make sure that the Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm experiences as little wind as possible. Wind can damage the leaves, causing them to die off more quickly. A little wind is no problem.

Temperature requirements

Minimum temperature during the day: -15 ℃
At night minimum -15 ℃

Repotting, why and when?

The Cordyline Australis 'Pink Passion', with its beautiful pink leaves, thrives best when it has enough room to grow. It is advisable to repot this beautiful plant when you notice that the roots are starting to grow through the drainage holes of the pot or if the growth seems to be stagnating, which often indicates a lack of space and nutrients. These signs are typically an indication that it is time for a larger home for your plant.

When repotting your Cordyline Australis 'Pink Passion', ideally choose a pot that is both wider and deeper than its current pot to facilitate natural root growth and expansion. Also, provide a good quality, well-draining potting soil to support the health and vitality of the plant. The best time to repot is in the spring, when the plant is emerging from its winter dormancy and is ready for a period of active growth. Following these practices will ensure that your pink cabbage palm can continue to thrive, both indoors and outdoors.

General rules

When the Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink cabbage palm has taken root (often every 2-3 years) we recommend repotting it in the spring. If it is always indoors, it does not matter. If it is outdoors, it is not a problem to repot it in the summer, but we advise against it in the autumn and winter, because it will not grow and take root optimally then. This can make it somewhat weak, and possibly suffer damage from frost.

When you choose to repot your Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm, choose a nice pot that is twice the size of the root ball. Place a layer of hydro grains at the bottom of the new pot for better moisture control. It will be grateful for that. Fill this layer with some Mediterranean potting soil. This type of soil ensures that the Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm roots optimally and is fed. Then you can place the root ball on the ground. Make sure that the top of the root ball is slightly below the edge of the pot. Aim for a difference of 2 to 6 cm. This difference ensures that the water does not run off the root ball when you water it.
Every year you should replace the top layer of soil, because it hardens and 'wears out' in nutrients, due to regular watering and because of the sunlight on the upper edge of the root ball.

Provide the Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm with good nutrition

Noted for its beautiful pink foliage, the Cordyline Australis 'Pink Passion' is not only a visually appealing plant but also surprisingly uncomplicated in its nutritional requirements. When planted in nutrient-rich soil, this unique plant does not necessarily require additional fertilization for its basal growth. Should you wish to encourage growth and leaf vibrancy, consider a light fertilization regime. In spring, it is recommended to apply a slow-release fertilizer sparingly, so that the plant is provided with gradual nutrition throughout the growing season. This single action can give the Cordyline Australis 'Pink Passion' a good start.

Thereafter, during the peak of summer, a liquid fertiliser can be applied every four to six weeks to support growth. For Cordylines grown in containers, a monthly liquid feed during the growing season is recommended. It is important not to fertilise during the winter, as the plant is usually dormant at this time and will not require the extra nutrients. A measured and attentive approach to fertilisation will keep the Cordyline Australis 'Pink Passion' healthy and ensure that the leaves retain their striking colours.

When the leaves change color

The leaves can get black leaf tips. This can mean that too much water has been released. Brown or yellow leaves can mean that too little water is being released. We then recommend checking this and possibly adjusting the watering. We also recommend making the plant a bit more beautiful by simply cutting off the ugly tips with scissors.

It is also possible that the Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink cabbage palm has been moved from a place with a lot/little light to a place with a different amount of light. This can also cause the leaves to discolour. The new leaves will be more resistant to direct sunlight.

How and when should you prune the Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm?

The leaves of the Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm will eventually wither. If this is the case with a leaf, you can simply cut the stem near the trunk. It is not a problem to prune an entire leaf with the stem of the plant. This is the way the plant forms its trunk.

How can I propagate the Cordyline Pink Passion - Pink Cabbage Palm?

The Cordyline Australis 'Pink Passion', with its striking, vibrant pink leaves, can be a real eye-catcher in any garden or interior. Although propagating this pink cabbage palm is not the easiest task, it can certainly be a rewarding project for the keen gardener. The preferred method for propagating this plant is by cuttings. This is ideally done in early spring, to give the young cuttings the best chance of success. Using a sharp, clean knife, cut off a healthy shoot as close to the main stem as possible. Prune back the leaves so that you have two or three young leaves and plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mixture. For optimum humidity, cover the pot with the cuttings with plastic and place it in a warm spot with indirect sunlight. With patience and care, the cuttings should develop roots within a few weeks, at which point they can be repotted for further growth.