Mountain cabbage tree: Diseases and Remedies (Cordyline indivisa)

NOTE: The terms Mountain cabbage tree and Cordyline indivisa are identical in this text; in reality, Cordyline indivisa is Mountain cabbage tree’s biological word.

The mountain cabbage tree, also known as the Cordyline indivisa, is a slow-growing evergreen tree. These trees are native to New Zealand and were introduced to the United States in the late 1800’s.

Why does my Cordyline indivisa roots have rot?

Root rot on your Mountain cabbage tree (Cordyline indivisa) can be fatal if not treated with care. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you follow our guide to keep your plant alive if the symptoms occur: Root soft and blackened.
Mountain

Why does my Mountain cabbage tree have gray mold spots?

Gray mold spots are a specific fungus that regularly harms flowers and spreads swiftly. If you notice any brown (or gray) spots, this fungus is probably to cause. You risk your plant dying if you ignore these warning indications.

Our Solution

The answer is obvious once you recognize the cause of the problem. Most frequently, it results from the Cordyline indivisa being overwatered. We strongly advise you to remove the damaged plant parts, cut off the diseased roots and leaves, and then repot your plant in a new container with sterile potting soil.

Why does my Mountain cabbage tree have leaf spots?

Leaf We provide you with all the information you need to identify and save your plants if they display signs like leaves that suddenly change color or wilt/droop. This sort of sickness is one of the most aggravating for Mountain cabbage tree owners.

Why are my Mountain cabbage tree leaves turning yellow?

In the world of horticulture, yellowing leaves are undoubtedly the most common problem. The two main causes of this problem are overwatering and a lack of nutrition.

Reduce your watering frequency when you fear your plants are being overwatered, and follow these steps to determine whether they may be lacking in nutrients:

Here are some signs of yellowing caused by the many deficiencies on the Cordyline indivisa in question:

  • Magnesium deficiency starts as yellow patches between leaf veins on older leaves. Veins stay green as yellow moves from the leaf center out. Leaf edges turn yellow last.
  • Yellowing between leaf veins is another sign of iron shortage, but young leaves on plant tops and branch tips are initially affected.
  • Sulfur deficiency starts with the newest leaves, turning them yellow throughout.
  • Leaf edges turning bright yellow but inside leaf remaining green are signs of potassium insufficiency. The symptoms first appear on older leaves, and the leaf edges quickly become dark.
  • A broad yellowing indicates a nitrogen deficiency. Yellowing starts with older, inner leaves. Yellowing spreads as it advances, eventually touching new leaves as well.

Our Solution

You only need to respond to the signs mentioned above. A gardening store expert will be able to provide you advice on how to purchase a specific soil to treat a potassium or nitrogen deficiency. Additionally, you can reduce how often you water your plants.

Is my Mountain cabbage tree sunburned?

It is quite easy to find out if your Mountain cabbage tree (Cordyline indivisa) has been burned by the sun. Just like on us, your plant will change color in this case, it will start to turn yellow or white.

Sunburned

As we saw above, if your Mountain cabbage tree receives too much water or not enough light, the leaves may also change color.

The bottom of the yellow leaves with a shaded area closer to the base can be examined to determine if they have been sunburned. If this part remains greener, the yellow leaf is most likely sunburned and not something else.

Why are my Mountain cabbage tree leaves turning brown?

A plant’s browning leaves are typically a symptom that it has been sunburned and has been exposed to excessive amounts of direct sunlight. Don’t worry; your plant probably won’t perish as a result, but its growth will be negatively impacted.

Should I leave my Cordyline indivisa in direct sunlight?

No! If your Cordyline indivisa (or Mountain cabbage tree) has the symptoms described above, don’t leave it in direct sunlight, that’s the reason why your Mountain cabbage tree is in such a state!

Our Solution

The remedy, as said in the paragraph above, is simple: just move your plant’s Mountain cabbage tree out of direct sunlight. Your plant should swiftly re-grow with this strategy and appropriate watering.

Why are my Cordyline indivisa leaves drooping or wilting ?

In most cases, this happens when your Cordyline indivisa lacks water. This is especially the case for large plants, naturally they need more water than others.

Drooping

Whether your Cordyline indivisa plant’s pot appears light, the soil and roots are likely fairly dry and need water, so you can readily tell if it needs to be hydrated.

Our Solution

In order to ensure that the roots of your plant receive the water’s benefits, you must first moisten the soil in the container if it is absolutely dry. One common error is to immediately drown the Mountain cabbage tree after a dry period in the belief that it requires a lot of water.

This is true, but the easiest way to end it is to give too much water at once. Instead, you should water the soil properly, returning to a peaceful watering rhythm.

Caring Tips for Cordyline indivisa

Water Occasionally

Your plant needs water to survive, but it’s crucial to balance the amount and timing of watering. As we previously mentioned, overwatering could be catastrophic for your Cordyline indivisa.

Touching the soil will let you know whether your plant needs water or not; if it still feels damp, it’s generally best to wait a few more days.

Always keep temperatures stable

Maintaining a consistent temperature for your Cordyline indivisa is also a good idea, especially if it is kept indoors. At GreenShack, we typically advise reserving a temperature between 65 and 85 degrees F. Of course, avoid positioning your Cordyline indivisa close to air conditioners, radiators, or other sources of hot or cold air.

Keep your Mountain cabbage tree Dust-Free

This one is about houseplants. Your indoor plants’ leaves get dusty just like your furniture does. The problem is that this might prevent photosynthesis from beginning, which would result in the plants gradually losing their color.

This would also make the pests happy, a real descent into hell for your Mountain cabbage tree.

Take a microfiber cloth and gently massage the plant’s leaves to get rid of the dust. Use a damp cloth to make dust removal easier, but avoid using corrosive materials like rubbing alcohol!

Keep drainage in mind

If you have a tendency to overwater, you should be mindful of your drainage, and if they don’t already have them, we suggest selecting a saucer and a pot with drainage holes.

If your pots don’t already have holes in them, you can add volcanic rocks (or any other pebbles with holes) to the bottom of your pot in the meantime. This will assist in creating a channel and keep the water from pooling there for an extended period of time, protecting the roots from decay.