The club lily, botanically Cordyline, is not hardy and is only suitable as a container plant in our latitudes. A distinction is made between warm house and cold house types. Some varieties need to be kept at consistently high temperatures all year round, while other species thrive on the terrace in summer.
Are club lilies hardy?
The club lily (Cordyline) is not hardy and requires special wintering measures as a container plant. A distinction is made between warm house and cold house club lilies, each of which has different winter temperature requirements.
Difference between warm house and cold house club lilies
The two species hardly differ in terms of care. Both forms are also not hardy. However, they have different demands on the temperatures in winter.
Overwinter warmhouse club lilies at room temperatures
The most well-known warm house club lilies include Cordyline fruticosa and C. terminalis. They need a warm location all year round with temperatures between 18 and 20 degrees.
Cold house club lilies overwinter in a cool place
Cordyline australis is the most commonly grown species in our latitudes. Like C. indivisia, it is not hardy, but also tolerates cooler temperatures.
Cold house club lilies can spend the summer on the terrace or balcony.
If it gets cooler than eight degrees outside, you should bring the plants indoors and prepare them for overwintering.
Overwintering club lilies properly
You can leave warmhouse club lilies in their usual place in the house or winter garden even during the winter. The temperatures are not lowered. During the winter time these species
- only watered a little
- fertilized very rarely or not at all
- occasionally sprayed with water
Warm house club lilies need high humidity even in winter, so you should mist them every now and then with water from the spray bottle (€9.00 on Amazon).
Cordyline australis overwintering
Even if it is less demanding when it comes to temperatures, the cold house club lily cannot tolerate frost because it is also not hardy.
During the winter it is hibernated in a bright, frost-free place. The temperatures should be eight to twelve degrees. A place in a cool greenhouse, in the hallway or by a bright basement window is ideal.
Water very little in winter quarters so that the club lily does not dry out. You should avoid fertilizing. After the winter break, slowly get the plants used to the sun again, otherwise the leaves will burn quickly.
Tip
Club lilies are often confused with the well-known dragon tree and are sold as such. However, the difference is easy to spot. Dracaena branches, while Cordyline does not branch and has wider leaves.
