Pot diameter: 17cm
Cordyline australis Magic Star Care
Cordyline australis 'Magic Star' is a fascinating plant that resembles an exotic palm or a fireworks display. Its narrow, sword-shaped leaves have a dark burgundy base with distinctive pink to cream variegation. Unlike the previous dracaena, 'Magic Star' is a bit more vigorous and thrives well both indoors and on the terrace in summer.
Watering
Cordyline likes stability – it shouldn't be waterlogged, but also not completely dried out.
When to water: Allow the substrate to dry out to approximately 1/3 of the pot depth. It drinks more in summer; in winter, reduce watering significantly.
Beware of extremes: Prolonged drought will cause lower leaves to dry out and fall off en masse. Overwatering, on the other hand, leads to rotting of the "heart" (the center of the plant), from where new leaves emerge.
Water: Room temperature, standing water is best.
Light
For 'Magic Star', light is key to its magical coloration.
Placement: It requires plenty of bright light. The more light it gets, the more vibrant the pink stripes on the leaves will be.
Lack of light: The plant loses color, leaves turn green, and stems become weak and leggy.
Outdoor placement in summer: From late spring to autumn, you can keep it outdoors. However, accustom it to the sun gradually to avoid shock and leaf burn.
Temperature and Air
Ideal temperature: 18–24 °C. In winter, it prefers a cooler location (around 10–15 °C), but can also manage a normal room if not directly above a radiator.
Humidity: It prefers higher air humidity. If your home is dry, the leaf tips will turn brown. Regular misting with a sprayer or group cultivation with other plants will help.
Cleanliness: Due to narrow leaves, dust is harder to wipe off, so it's ideal to occasionally shower it with lukewarm water (be careful not to let water remain in the leaf axils).
Fertilizing and Growth
Fertilizing: From April to August, fertilize every 14 days with fertilizer for ornamental foliage plants. Omit fertilizing entirely during the winter.
Growth: It grows upwards and gradually forms a stem as the lower leaves naturally die off. This is a healthy process; old dry leaves just need to be carefully pulled off downwards.
Substrate
It needs nutritious, but very well-draining soil.
Composition: A mix of substrate for houseplants with an admixture of peat and perlite (for lightening).
Drainage: As with all cordylines, it is crucial – a layer of expanded clay at the bottom of the pot will protect the roots from rotting.
