Early Morning Diamond Cordyline

Early Morning Diamond Cordyline (Cordyline fruticosa 'Early Morning Diamond') is grown for foliage that does the work of flowers. Broad upright leaves are streaked cream, pink and green, brightest on the new growth at the top of each cane. It reaches about 1.8m tall and 1m wide, which makes it one of the better cordylines for a large pot.

Why you'll love it

• Colour that never stops. The cream and pink variegation is permanent, so a pot by the door holds its interest in July as well as January.
• Upright and narrow. At 1.8m by 1m it adds height to a courtyard corner without spreading into the seating.
• Happy in part shade. Filtered light actually suits it better than full sun, which suits shaded courtyards and covered balconies.
• It works indoors too. Given a bright position it grows as a houseplant, which is how many people use it in cooler parts of the country.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. A pot 400mm or wider gives it room for several seasons. Grouping three at staggered heights reads better than a single specimen on its own.

Balconies and courtyards. It tolerates heat and humidity, and the narrow habit means it fits against a wall where a spreading shrub could not.

Feature planting. In tropical and subtropical gardens it lifts a shaded bed, especially planted against dark green foliage that makes the pink read properly.

Growing Early Morning Diamond Cordyline in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade or filtered morning sun gives the best colour; harsh afternoon sun bleaches and scorches the leaves. This is a tropical, subtropical and warm temperate plant, and it is frost tender. In cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens grow it in a pot and bring it under cover before winter, or keep it indoors year round.

Soil. Rich, free draining soil with plenty of organic matter, or a quality potting mix. It wants moisture available but never sitting around the roots.

Water and feed. Keep the soil evenly moist through the warm months and ease back in winter. Feed a controlled release fertiliser in early spring and again in summer. Brown crispy leaf tips usually mean the air or the mix has been too dry.

Pruning. Strip the lower leaves as they age and yellow. If a cane grows leggy, cut it back hard in spring and it will reshoot from below the cut, often with two or three new heads.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown as tube stock, in 140mm pots in packs of ten, in 200mm pots in packs of six, and as single 300mm plants. Tubes and 140mm plants are young single canes and take a season or two to build presence. The 200mm and 300mm sizes arrive already carrying colour and can go straight into a decorative pot.

Some leaf marking after transit is normal and grows out. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee. Expect new growth within four to six weeks in warm weather.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the full cordyline care guide.
• Compare varieties in our cordyline range.
• Browse other variegated foliage plants.

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Cordylines are toxic to cats and dogs, and chewing the leaves can cause drooling, vomiting and loss of appetite. Keep it out of reach if your pet chews foliage.

Why is my plant losing its pink?

Too little light is the usual cause, since the variegation needs bright conditions to develop. Move it somewhere brighter, but keep it out of direct afternoon sun.

Can it survive frost?

No. It is frost tender, and even a light frost damages the foliage. Anywhere that frosts, grow it in a pot you can move under cover or keep it indoors.

How do I fix a tall bare cane?

Cut it back to about 30cm in spring. The stump reshoots readily, and the cut section can be struck as a cutting in a moist mix.