How to Germinate Cordyline

Cordyline is the genus and common name for 15 species of flowering plants native to the islands of the western Pacific Ocean. Several species of cordyline are cultivated as ornamental landscaping plants for their shrubby, tree-like shape and lanceolate leaves, which occur in shades of green, burgundy and pink. Most commercially available species are hybrid cultivars and must be propagated vegetatively, but species such as Cordyline rubra, Cordyline petiolaris and Cordyline cannifolia germinate readily from seed and will emerge true to form. Germinating cordyline seed is very simple to do at home and the resulting seedlings will be ready for the garden in less than one year.

Things You'll Need

Coir
Perlite
2-inch-deep seedling tray

Warming mat
4-inch-deep seedling pots
Potting soil

Instructions

- 1
  Combine equal measures milled coir and perlite to produce a growing mix suited to germinating cordyline seeds.
- 2
  Pack the growing mix into a 2-inch-deep seedling tray. Even out the surface as best you can.
- 3
  Pour water over the the growing mix until it is completely saturated. Press the surface to expel the excess water.
- 4
  Sow one cordyline seed per square inch. Press each seed 3/4 inch into the growing mix. Completely cover each seed.
- 5
  Place the seedling tray on a warming mat set to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Adjust the warming mat to 68 each night to mimic the natural daily cycle of warming and cooling.
- 6
  Maintain moisture in the growing mix at all times during the germination process. Water whenever the top 1/4 inch of soil dries out.
- 7
  Watch for germination in four months. Transplant the cordyline seedlings into 4-inch-deep seedling pots filled with potting soil as soon as they grow to 2 inches in height.
- 8
  Move the individually potted cordyline seedlings outdoors to a partially shaded spot with good air circulation. Keep the top inch of soil moderately moist at all times.
- 9
  Plant the cordyline seedlings into a permanent bed or planter once they reach 5 inches in height. Plant them in rich, draining soil and position them where they will receive very bright, diffuse light.

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