Willy's Gold Cordyline

Willy's Gold Cordyline (Cordyline fruticosa 'Willy's Gold') is the showpiece of tropical foliage: a slender trunk topped with very broad, rounded leaves striped in gold, pink, orange, red and lime. It grows about 1.5m tall and 1m wide, and it suits tropical gardens, big pots and the brightest corner indoors.

Why you'll love it

• Foliage like a painting. Each leaf carries stripes of gold, pink, orange, red and lime, and no two leaves look quite the same.
• Broader than most cordylines. The leaves are much broader and rounder than on most cordylines, giving a wide canvas for all that colour.
• A slender trunk. The broad leaves sit on a slender trunk, which gives it the look of a small tropical tree, even in a pot.
• Flowers as a bonus. Mature plants may produce vibrant pink flowers.
• Indoors or out. It suits container planting and does well as a bright indoor plant.

Where it works best

Tropical gardens. Plant it alongside palms and gingers for foliage colour. Space plants 80cm apart for a group.

Containers and entries. A large glazed pot at a front door gives instant tropical colour, and the plant is easy to move.

Indoors. Place it in bright, filtered light near a window, and keep the leaves out of hot afternoon sun.

Growing Willy's Gold Cordyline in Australia

Position and climate. Shade or part shade in the garden. It prefers filtered light and tolerates periods of sun, but avoid hot sun until it is established. It needs frost protection, so tropical, subtropical and frost-free warm temperate gardens suit it.

Soil. Free-draining soil. Mulch when planting, and in a pot use a quality potting mix with good drainage.

Water and feed. Give it plenty of water in the first 8 to 12 weeks while it establishes, then water regularly through dry periods. Apply a liquid fertiliser every 3 months for lush foliage.

Pruning. Remove dead foliage as it dies. Cut back in spring if the plant becomes leggy, since it regrows from the stem.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Willy's Gold Cordyline as tube stock and 300mm pots, sold singly. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and the 300mm pot gives you a bigger plant to start with. Plants travel upright and settle quickly once the weather is warm.

Tube stock is grown for us and availability moves around. A sold out tube just means the grower has none today, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it returns.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the cordyline range
• Using cordylines in a lush landscape
• Tropical plants
• House and indoor plants

Common questions

Is it the same as Wiley's Gold?

Yes. It is also written Wiley's Gold, Willie's Gold, Wilie's Gold and Willi's Gold, but it is the same cordyline.

Can I grow it indoors?

Yes. It suits indoor and container planting, with bright, filtered light and regular water. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun.

Is it toxic to pets?

Yes. Cordylines are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so grow it where pets cannot chew the leaves.