How to prune cordyline australis

Spring — especially after winter in frost-prone areas. Remove dead lower leaves by cutting or pulling cleanly at the stem. To remove frost-damaged growth, cut back to the point where tissue is firm and green. Avoid cutting into the main growing crown unless it is clearly dead or severely damaged.

As needed — dead or frost-damaged leaf removal in spring; infrequent otherwise. Cordyline australis rarely needs pruning and develops its characteristic trunk naturally over time. Remove dead or brown lower leaves as they occur. In frost-prone regions, cut back frost-damaged growth to healthy tissue in spring. Heavy shaping cuts are rarely necessary and can set back growth significantly on this slow-growing species.

Remove dead lower leaves by cutting or pulling cleanly at the stem. To remove frost-damaged growth, cut back to the point where tissue is firm and green. Avoid cutting into the main growing crown unless it is clearly dead or severely damaged.