Where to plant

Cabbage trees grow all over New Zealand in a range of habitats from coastal areas through to inland foothills. They particularly favour the alluvial soils of flood plains, swamps and lakesides where they like growing in full sunlight. As tī kōuka grow old and stems die, shoots can grow from the trunk. Cabbage trees are quick growing and tolerate very wet soil. They are frequently found in wetlands but are also widespread in other habitats. Because they produce masses of seed, they are an ideal species to colonise disturbed areas or re-vegetate riverbanks but fail to thrive once other trees shade them out.