Ti Plant Guide: How to Grow and Care for Hawaiian Ti Plants

Ti plants (Cordyline fruticosa; previously Cordyline terminalis), also known as Hawaiian ti plants, cabbage plants, and palm lilies, are a tropical plant with colorful foliage native to Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia. Ti plants have thin trunks with clusters of leaves in many colors, from dark red to light pinks. Ti plants are a very common houseplant thanks to their colorful, fast-growing foliage. In some Polynesian countries, the ti plant is believed to bring good fortune. This is why in Hawaii it is sometimes referred to as the Hawaiian good luck plant.

There are many cultivars of the ti plant that are very popular for indoor decoration. These foliage plants are often variegated with vibrant colors.

1. 1. Florida Red: The Florida Red is a ti plant with dark red or purple leaves with pinkish variegation.
2. 2. Red Sister: This ti plant has foliage that comes in many shades of deep red, including burgundy, maroon, and plum colors.
3. 3. Black Magic: This variety has tall foliage that is a very dark purple that almost appears black.
4. 4. Candy Cane: This tricolor ti plant has green leaves with streaks of pink and white.
5. 5. Pink Passion: Also known as Seipin, the leaves on this variety are long, pointed, and vibrant hot pink in color.
6. 6. Hawaiian Boy: One of the most popular varieties of ti plant with very dark red or purple foliage.

Ti plants can be grown at home in pots or in a garden and can bring vibrant colors to any outdoor space. They grow well in the USDA hardiness zones 10 through 13 and prefer areas with high humidity, similar to the tropics.

1. 1. Choose an area for your ti plant that will receive full sun or direct sunlight, as ti plants require bright light to grow.
2. 2. For indoor plants, choose a pot with drainage holes and prepare a well-draining potting mix. Choose fluoride-free potting soil, since ti plants are sensitive to fluoride.
3. 3. Dig a hole in the soil roughly the same depth as the root ball of the ti plant so that the top of the root is flush with the top of the soil. Gently massage the root ball of the plant and then lower it into the soil. Cover with soil and water until the soil is damp.

Your ti plant will require frequent attention during the growing season, including regular watering and watching for disease or damage.

• Watering: Ti plants require frequent watering to keep the soil moist during the growing season. Water less frequently in the colder months. Water the plant at soil level, so that the leaves remain dry.
• Propagating: You can propagate your ti plant by cutting one-inch stem cuttings and planting them in a pot with a perlite potting mixture. Keep the soil moist and leave in a partially sunny spot and propagation should begin as the roots develop within two weeks.
• Preventing pests: Your ti plant may attract common pests like mealybugs, spider mites, or fungus gnats. You can treat most of these pests by rinsing or wiping the leaves to rid them of the pests and spraying the leaves with diluted neem oil.
• Treating disease: Ti plants are susceptible to diseases like fusarium leaf spot, root rot, and Erwinia blight. Many ti plants are sold pre-treated against these diseases, but you can also treat them with common fungicides. To prevent root rot, use a well-draining potting mix and plant ti plants in containers with adequate drainage holes. Avoid overwatering your ti plant.
• Repotting: Plan to repot your ti plant roughly every two years, or when the roots have filled the pot. Once the plant grows to maturity, you can repot it less frequently.
• Pruning: Prune your ti plant as needed by cutting off brown leaves or damaged stalks. Remember always to sanitize your tools when dealing with diseased plant matter. If needed, cut your ti plant down to six inches above the soil and new shoots will grow from the cut.

Note that you should keep ti plants out of reach if you have pets, as the foliage can be toxic to dogs and cats.

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