The Cordyline Ruby, with its striking colors and exotic appeal, is a popular choice for enhancing indoor and outdoor spaces. This vibrant plant adds dramatic foliage to any collection.
Understanding Cordyline Ruby
Cordyline Ruby (Cordyline fruticosa ‘Ruby’) features sword-like leaves, brilliant ruby red when young, maturing to deep burgundy with bright pink margins. This tropical plant, native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific, exhibits an upright, palm-like growth. It reaches a mature height of 3 to 6 feet with a spread of 2 to 4 feet.
Cordyline Ruby Care Guide
Light
Cordyline Ruby thrives in bright, indirect light. While it tolerates partial shade, too much direct sun can scorch leaves. Insufficient light, conversely, fades its coloration. For optimal health and color, a location with morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled sunlight is suitable.
Water
Maintaining consistent soil moisture is important to Cordyline Ruby, but it cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions. Overwatering leads to root rot, while underwatering causes leaves to dry and lose vibrancy. Water thoroughly when the top inch or two of soil feels dry, ensuring excess water drains freely. Container-grown plants require more frequent watering than those in the ground.
Soil
Cordyline Ruby prefers well-draining, fertile soil. An ideal pH range is 6.0 to 6.5. Amending soil with organic matter, such as compost, improves fertility and drainage. For containers, use a high-quality potting mix that drains effectively while retaining moisture.
Temperature and Humidity
Cordyline Ruby thrives in warm environments, ideally between 65°F (18°C) and 85°F (29°C). It is sensitive to cold drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations, causing leaf drop. The plant also prefers high humidity. In dry indoor environments, misting leaves regularly or placing the pot on a pebble tray increases humidity.
Fertilizer
During the active growing season (spring and summer), Cordyline Ruby benefits from regular feeding. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring, or a liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength every 4 to 6 weeks, supports healthy growth and color. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent leggy growth or root burn. Reduce or stop fertilization during winter months.
Pruning
Pruning Cordyline Ruby helps maintain its shape and size. Remove any dead, yellowing, or browning leaves to keep the plant tidy and direct energy to new growth. If the plant becomes too tall or leggy, prune it back for bushier growth. The best time for significant pruning is early spring or late winter.
Propagating Cordyline Ruby
Propagating Cordyline Ruby is done via stem cuttings. Propagate in spring or summer. Select a healthy, mature stem and take a cutting 3 to 8 inches long. Remove lower leaves, leaving a few at the top.
The cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone, though optional. Plant the cutting directly into a well-draining potting mix, or root it in water until roots develop. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and place the cutting in a warm spot with bright, indirect light for root formation.
Common Cordyline Ruby Problems
Cordyline Ruby faces common issues. Leaf discoloration is a common concern; yellowing leaves indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies. Brown leaf tips or edges suggest low humidity, underwatering, or fluoride sensitivity. Using distilled or rainwater mitigates fluoride issues.
Pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects affect Cordyline Ruby, especially in dry environments. Regularly inspecting for infestation enables early treatment with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Legginess, long, stretched stems with sparse foliage, results from insufficient light as it stretches for light. More bright, indirect light corrects this. Loss of variegation, where pink coloration fades, is a sign of inadequate light levels, as bright light maintains foliage color intensity.