Cordyline 'Red Star'

Cordyline "Red Star Spike" (Cordyline "Red Star Spike"), is a tall, full, dramatic plant that puts on a show of color in flower beds or containers. The plants, which are easy to get along with, are a smart choice for beginning gardeners.  "Red Star Spike" is vibrant from spring until the first frost in fall.

Cordyline isn't choosy about watering. In its natural environment, the plant grows in both dry and boggy soils. You should give it a moderate level of water. Water the plant deeply enough to saturate the soil to a depth of about 6 inches. Test the soil by touch and water again when the soil feels slightly dry. Never water the plant if the soil feels damp. Although a cordyline is usually disease-free, the plant is healthiest when the soil is allowed to dry, which lets air circulate around the roots.

"Red Star Spike" cordyline benefits from regular application of a balanced, dry fertilizer once every month from late spring until late summer. Apply 4 tablespoons of fertilizer for every 10 square feet of planting space. Sprinkle the fertilizer evenly on the soil in an area extending from the plant to the plant's drip line, which is where water drips from the tips of the longest leaves. Apply the fertilizer carefully to keep the substance off the leaves. If fertilizer lands on the leaves, rinse it immediately to prevent damage to the plant. Always water deeply after applying fertilizer. Check the product's label, as instructions vary by brand.

"Red Star Spike" is a tidy plant that requires little maintenance. To keep the plant looking its best, remove dead or damaged growth throughout the season. If you live below USDA zone 9, grow the plant in a container and bring it indoors before the first frost in fall. Use a deep container to accommodate the plant's long tap root. Put the plant in your brightest window and provide only enough water to keep the potting slightly moist.