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If you want to add a splash of tropic color to your home, you can’t go wrong with planting some cordyline. This hardy tropical plant thrives in indoor garden pots or even outdoor beds if the climate in your area isn’t too cold. Cordyline is relatively easy to maintain once you plant it in the right conditions.
You can use ericaceous compost with cordylines because this plant thrives in soil with any pH, although you don’t need to use this compost if you don’t have it on hand. Cordylines also require moist, well-drained soil, which the organic matter in ericaceous compost provides.
Here is your guide to helping your cordyline plants thrive, especially if you use ericaceous compost in their beds.
What Are Cordylines?
Cordyline, also known as cabbage trees and purple cabbage palms, is a genus of plants native to New Zealand, parts of Australia, and the Micronesian Islands. It thrives outdoors in tropical climates such as the Pacific Islands.
When European settlers first came to those areas, they loved the decorative leaves and brought them back to their homelands as houseplants.
There are dozens of different species of cordyline plants. They are united in their distinctive spikey leaves that give the plants an alien look. The leaves come in all different colors and can be green, red, or even purple, depending on the species. Some species even have flowers and berries in the spring and summer.
Besides its gorgeous appearance, the other reason why gardeners love cordyline so much is its low-maintenance nature. Once you plant cordyline, you just have to remember to water it regularly, and the plant will thrive and grow. It also isn’t too fussy about the soil or compost that you use.
What Is Ericaceous Compost?
Ericaceous compost is an acidic compost blend made out of organic material. Most ericaceous composts that you buy in the store are now loam-based composts (They used to be peat-based, but most places outlawed peat harvesting because it is unsustainable.).
The compost will also contain organic material such as pine needles, leaves, and more. You can make ericaceous compost at home.
Ericaceous compost is very popular among gardeners who are growing plants that require highly acidic soils, such as heather, as it alters the pH of the garden beds. However, it is also a popular compost, even with non-ericaceous plants.
This type of compost is high in organic matter, which provides the plant with nutrients without needing extra plant food and retains moisture well.
Can You Use Ericaceous Compost for Cordyline?
Yes, you can use ericaceous compost for cordyline for a few different reasons.
Cordyline grows best in neutral or slightly alkaline soils. Ericaceous compost can help create the ideal growing conditions for this plant, particularly if your soil is already very alkaline.
Conduct a pH test ahead of time to see if you need to neutralize the alkaline elements in your soil. However, if your soil is already acidic, adding ericaceous compost might make it too acidic for cordyline.
Cordyline also requires soil that retains moisture but also drains well, as it does not like soggy environments. Ericaceous compost is famous for its ability to hold on to liquid after watering happens without letting the soil become waterlogged.
If your soil is very sandy, mixing in ericaceous compost can help it become the ideal soil for cordyline.
Finally, cordyline does best in loamy soils, and the majority of ericaceous composts that you can buy today are loam-based composts.
If you don’t have any ericaceous compost on hand, you don’t have to go out and get some. While cordyline can grow well in ericaceous compost, it does not actually need it because it does not need the soil to be as acidic as other plants, such as rhododendrons, do.
You can use any organic, nutrient-rich compost, such as spent mushroom compost or regular garden compost you get from the store. However, if you happen to have ericaceous compost on hand, don’t worry about using it with cordyline.
How Should You Plant Cordyline?
Besides using the right soil and compost, there are a few other things you can do when planting cordyline to ensure the plant’s survival.
The first and most important step is to choose the right spot. If you live in a cold climate, plant your cordyline indoors because these tropical stunners do not do well with frost. Plus, if you plant them in containers, you can put them outside during the summer.
Check the variety of cordyline that you have. The green-leaved cordylines do well with direct sunlight, while colorful varieties do well in bright but indirect sunlight because the rays will dampen the colors. All cordyline varieties need a spot that is sheltered from the wind.
Tips for Maintaining Cordylines
Once you plant your cordyline, these plants don’t need a lot of fuss. The most important thing is to remember to water the cordyline regularly. Water the plants regularly during the growing season because they require a moist, slightly humid environment. However, you can let it dry out during the winter.
Besides watering, cordyline doesn’t need a lot of fuss. It usually doesn’t need fertilizer because it gets all the nutrients it needs from the soil. If you notice dead leaves or stalks, prune them away to let the rest of the plant thrive, but it doesn’t need extensive pruning.
However, if you are leaving your cordyline outside during winter, then you need to take some precautions to help it survive. Spread a thick layer of mulch and wrap up the foliage to protect it from cold weather.
Final Thoughts
Cordyline is a fairly hardy tropical plant that isn’t fussy about its soil conditions. While it doesn’t need ericaceous compost to grow, you can spread some if you have it on hand.
Ericaceous compost is particularly helpful if the soil is very alkaline and needs neutralizing. However, don’t add too much because cordyline prefers neutral soil.
Sources
- https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/cordyline/growing-guide
- https://www.thespruce.com/grow-cordyline-indoors-1902747
- https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1036629/cordylines-and-ericaceous-compost
- https://horticulture.co.uk/cordyline/