Top 10 Must-Have Tropical Plants for Queensland Gardens
Cordyline fruticosa Chocolate Queen
Cordyline fruticosa 'Chocolate Queen'
Description:
Cordyline fruticosa 'Chocolate Queen' is a stunning tropical plant known for its dramatic foliage featuring rich chocolate-brown tones contrasted with streaks of creamy yellow and green. This variety is highly valued for its ornamental appeal, adding color and texture to any garden setting. It’s an excellent choice for tropical and subtropical landscapes, as well as indoor container gardening.
Foliage:
The foliage is the standout feature of Cordyline 'Chocolate Queen'. The long, lance-shaped leaves have a rich, chocolate-brown color with striking variegation in shades of creamy yellow and green. The colorful leaves provide year-round interest and create a bold visual impact in garden beds, borders, and containers.
Form and Size:
Cordyline fruticosa 'Chocolate Queen' has an upright, clumping growth habit, typically reaching up to 1-2 meters (3-6.5 feet) in height and 0.5-1 meter (1.5-3 feet) in spread. Its compact form makes it ideal for adding vertical interest to small gardens, patios, and indoor spaces.
Growing Conditions:
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light to partial shade. It can tolerate some direct sun, but too much may cause leaf burn.
- Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal.
- Water: Moderate water requirements. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Temperature: Thrives in warm, tropical to subtropical climates. Hardy in USDA zones 10-12. Protect from frost and cold drafts if grown indoors.
- Humidity: Prefers high humidity levels. Regular misting or placement near a humidity tray can help maintain the necessary moisture in the air if grown indoors.
Uses:
Cordyline 'Chocolate Queen' is primarily grown for its striking foliage. It makes an excellent feature plant in garden beds, borders, and large containers. The plant’s colorful leaves add a tropical feel to landscapes and are equally attractive when grown as a houseplant. It is perfect for adding a touch of lush, exotic beauty to both outdoor and indoor settings.
Maintenance:
This plant is relatively low-maintenance. Regularly remove any dead or damaged leaves to maintain its appearance. Fertilize during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Notes:
Cordyline fruticosa 'Chocolate Queen' is non-toxic and safe to grow around pets and children. It is relatively pest-resistant but may occasionally attract mealybugs or spider mites, which can be treated with appropriate insecticides.
Companion Plants:
Cordyline 'Chocolate Queen' pairs well with other tropical and subtropical plants that have similar growing requirements, such as:
- Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
- Bromeliads
- Ferns
- Alocasia species
Common Name: Chocolate Queen Cordyline
Botanical Name: Cordyline fruticosa 'Chocolate Queen'
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: Native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands
As we cannot guarantee stock all year around on Pots & Plants please hit us up via the chat button and we can get back to you with availability
Quantity:
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Delivery Options
- We Offer a local Sunshine Coast delivery service in our Truck.
- Orders placed before Tuesday 9.00am will be Delivered on Wednesday and or Friday of that week on the Sunshine Coast.
- For more information on Deliveries outside the Sunshine Coast please click here
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-store however we can either order it in or deliver it to your door. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into store soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
- the above information is exactly the same for Pots. they come and go all year around so please send us a message via the chat button and we will get back to you with availability
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
- Visit us instore and get the right advice the first time to make your plants succeed
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use Rocky Point potting mixes to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use Rocky Point garden soil around your plants at the time of planting