Hawaiian Ti Plant (Cordyline terminalis)

Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist

Hawaiian Ti Plant Plant Care

Cordyline terminalis Kunth

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 Hawaiian Ti Plant?

Plant Hawaiian Ti Plant in bright indirect light (USDA zones 10a–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.

What Is the Hawaiian Ti Plant?

Hawaiian Ti Plant (Cordyline terminalis) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Cordyline genus. Hawaiian Ti Plant is also known as Ti, Hawaiian Ti, Good Luck Plant.

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

Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Hawaiian Ti Plant?

Water a young or newly planted Hawaiian 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 Hawaiian Ti Plant Need?

Hawaiian Ti Plant thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Hawaiian 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 Hawaiian Ti Plant Prefer?

Cordyline terminalis tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Hawaiian 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 Hawaiian Ti Plant?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Hawaiian Ti Plant?

Feed Hawaiian 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 Hawaiian 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.

Hawaiian Ti Plant is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 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 Hawaiian Ti Plant?

Hawaiian 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 Hawaiian Ti Plant?

Prune Hawaiian 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 Hawaiian Ti Plant in Winter?

Hawaiian 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 Hawaiian Ti Plant?

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

Is the Hawaiian 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 Hawaiian Ti Plant?

Hawaiian 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 Hawaiian Ti Plant Need?

Hawaiian Ti Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. In cooler regions, grow Hawaiian Ti Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 10a – 12b

Keep exploring plants

Hawaiian 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.

Hawaiian 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 terminalis Kunth, family Asparagaceae (first published in Abh. Königl. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 1842: 30 (1844)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
  • Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Hawaiian 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 10a – 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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