Cordylines are borderline hardy in the UK. The common cabbage palm, Cordyline australis, shrugs off winter in mild and coastal gardens, but it can be damaged or even killed by hard frost in colder inland areas, particularly when the plant is young. Established plants are noticeably tougher than small ones.
So the honest answer is: often yes, but not everywhere, and not without a little care in a cold winter. Here is what to expect and how to help them through.
How hardy is Cordyline australis?
Cordyline australis is rated around RHS H3 to H4, meaning it tolerates temperatures down to roughly minus 5 to minus 10C. In a mild or coastal garden that is rarely a problem and plants can grow into tall, multi-headed specimens. In a cold, exposed or inland garden, a hard winter can scorch the foliage, kill the growing tip, or cut the plant to the ground. The good news is that even when the top is killed, an established cordyline will very often reshoot from the base or lower trunk in spring, so do not give up on it too quickly.
How to protect a cordyline in winter
- Gather the leaves up and tie them into a loose bundle to protect the vulnerable central growing point, and to stop water sitting in the crown and freezing.
- Mulch thickly around the base to protect the roots.
- In very cold areas, wrap the crown and trunk with horticultural fleece during hard spells.
- Keep young plants in pots and move them somewhere sheltered for their first few winters, then plant out once established.
A hardier alternative for the same look
If you love the bold, spiky, architectural shape of a cordyline but garden somewhere cold, consider a yucca. Yuccas give the same sword-leaved, evergreen structure and are considerably hardier, sailing through winters that would damage a cordyline. They are a superb choice for pots and patios and for hot, dry, sunny spots.
For more spiky, evergreen structure, browse our architectural plants and the wider hardy exotics range, and see our guides on protecting exotics through a UK winter.