Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’ – Cordyline australis (Burgundy Cabbage Palm, Live Starter Plant)

The Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’ (Cordyline australis) is a bold, architectural foliage plant that brings rich, year-round color without the fuss of flowers. Its narrow, arching, sword-like leaves are a deep burgundy-red that splays up and out from the crown in a dramatic, spiky rosette, giving instant style and structure for beds, borders, and containers. As a result, also called the Red Sensation cabbage palm, this tough New Zealand native is a favorite thriller for container combinations and a striking standalone accent that holds its vivid color all season long.

Why Grow a Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’?

• Bold burgundy color – deep red, sword-like foliage adds rich, season-long color and a tropical, architectural look.
• The ultimate container thriller – perfect upright centerpiece for pots, planters, and window boxes, alone or mixed with contrasting flowers and foliage.
• Tough & coastal-friendly – also salt- and wind-tolerant and drought-tolerant once established, ideal for seaside, gravel, and Mediterranean gardens.
• Evergreen structure – holds its dramatic form and color year-round, and deer tend to leave it alone.
• Indoors or out – especially versatile, as a standout landscape accent in warm zones and an easy, colorful houseplant in a bright room.

Looking for more bold foliage and color? Browse our Outdoor Plants and Indoor Plants collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

• Botanical name: Cordyline australis ‘Red Sensation’ (cabbage palm, cabbage tree)
• Plant type: Evergreen, palm-like foliage perennial (becomes a small tree with age in mild climates)
• Plant family: Asparagaceae (the asparagus family)
• Mature size: stays a compact 2–4 feet in containers and cooler areas; can grow into a multi-branched evergreen tree (10–20 feet) in frost-free climates
• Foliage: Narrow, arching, sword-like leaves in deep burgundy-red
• Flowers: Mature plants may produce fragrant creamy-white flower panicles in early summer (it is grown mainly for foliage)
• Notable traits: Salt-, wind-, and drought-tolerant; deer-resistant; bold architectural accent
• Cold Hardiness Zones: 8–11 (evergreen in zones 9–11; protect or overwinter indoors in zone 8)

Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’ Care & Growing Guide

This is a tough, low-fuss plant once it is settled in. Follow these guidelines:

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade. Specifically, good light keeps the color richest, while in very hot climates a little afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch.
• Water: Keep soil moderately moist, watering when the top inch feels dry. It is drought-tolerant once established. However, it dislikes soggy soil, which causes root rot.
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil or a quality container mix. In addition, make sure pots have drainage holes.
• Cold Hardiness Zone: 8–11. It is evergreen in mild winters. However, in colder areas, grow it in a container and bring it indoors, or protect the crown from hard frost.
• Pruning: Prune back as needed to keep the desired shape, and remove any tired outer leaves to keep it looking fresh.

Good to know: like other cordylines, ‘Red Sensation’ contains saponins and is considered toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if eaten. Therefore, keep pets and small children from chewing on the leaves.

Ways to Use Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’ in the Landscape

This bold, upright accent adds color and structure anywhere. Popular uses for the Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’ include:

• Upright thriller centerpiece in container combinations
• Also an accent or specimen in beds, planters, and window boxes
• Bold color in coastal, gravel, and Mediterranean gardens
• Similarly, poolside and patio container displays
• Colorful houseplant for a bright room

It pairs beautifully with other bold foliage and tropical plants. For example, gardeners often combine it with the multicolor Chocolate Queen Cordyline, the lush Philodendron Xanadu, or the cascading Firecracker Plant.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’ starter plants, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. Each plant is less than 12 inches tall when we ship it. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. That way, you can see how yours will look as they grow. Finally, choose your preferred bundle size using the options above.

Also, due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees where necessary to comply.

Ordering, Shipping & Returns

Every order ships free and is insured against loss or damage in transit. For full details on how we pack and send your plants, processing and delivery times, and what to do in the rare case of a problem, please review our Shipping Policy and Terms & Conditions before purchasing. By placing an order, you agree to those terms.

Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’ FAQ

Growing & Care Questions

Safety, Hardiness & Shipping Questions