Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa)

Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist

Ti Plant Plant Care

Cordyline fruticosa Göpp.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Cordyline fruticosa is an evergreen flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. It is known by a wide variety of common names, including ti plant, palm lily, and cabbage palm.

🪴Houseplants🌼Perennials
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Ti Plant?

Plant Ti Plant in bright indirect light (USDA zones 10b–12b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Ti Plant Native To?

Native range13 countries

What Is the Ti Plant?

Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Cordyline genus. Ti Plant is native to Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia. Ti Plant is also known as Hawaiian Ti, Good Luck Plant, Cabbage Tree.

Ti Plant displays a tall, palm-like tree growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Ti Plant produces small, fragrant clusters of pink or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Ti Plant?

Water a young or newly planted Ti Plant every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Ti Plant Need?

Ti Plant thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Ti Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect light

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ti Plant Prefer?

Cordyline fruticosa tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Ti Plant prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ti Plant?

Well-draining soil mix with added perlite for aeration. Good drainage is essential for Ti Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Ti Plant?

Feed Ti Plant every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Ti Plant?

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining soil mix with added perlite for aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Ti Plant is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Ti Plant?

Ti Plant can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Ti Plant?

Prune Ti Plant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Ti Plant in Winter?

Ti Plant is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Ti Plant?

Ti Plant can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hawaiian ti plant plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Ti Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic to cats and dogs

Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Ti Plant?

Ti Plant is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Ti Plant Need?

Ti Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Ti Plant is native to Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Ti Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 10b – 12b

Keep exploring plants

Ti Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Cordyline genus — compare its care with other Cordyline species on PlantoScan.

Cordyline is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.

Ti Plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Cordyline fruticosa Göpp., family Asparagaceae (first published in Nov. Actorum Acad. Caes. Leop.-Carol. Nat. Cur. 25: 53 (1855)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
  • Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Ti Plant as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
  • Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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