2 named cultivars

shrub

Ti Plant

The Story

Plant Bio

Cordyline fruticosa, the ti plant or good luck plant, is an erect multi-stemmed evergreen shrub from Papua New Guinea, Australia and the western Pacific, reaching nine to fifteen feet outdoors. Long oblong leaves up to thirty inches sit spirally crowded at the tops of slender red stems, in green, pink, red, purple and variegated combinations.

It is unusually shade tolerant for a plant of this colour, taking dappled to deep shade, though the brightest colours need reasonable light. Leaf tips brown readily on fluoride and salts in tap water, so rainwater or distilled water solves a problem most people mistake for dry air. It is a culturally important plant across Polynesia and Hawaii.

Uses & Benefits:

Bold rosettes of strap-shaped leaves in pink, red, purple and variegated forms on slender red stems.

Tolerates lower light than most coloured foliage plants, and cut canes root easily.

A culturally significant plant across Polynesia and Hawaii, grown for food, wrapping and ceremony.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

108 inches

Width

48 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Papua New Guinea, Australia and the western Pacific

Toxicity

Toxic to cats and dogs

Planting

How to Grow

Give it bright indirect light or dappled shade.
Use free-draining compost and keep it evenly moist.
Water with rainwater or distilled water where possible.
Keep it above 60F and out of cold draughts.
Feed monthly through the growing season only.
Cut leggy stems back hard; they resprout readily.

Pro Tip

Brown leaf tips are usually fluoride in tap water, not dry air — switch to rainwater before reaching for a humidifier.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Use rainwater or distilled water 💧
Give it bright indirect light 🪟
Keep it warm and draught-free 🌡️
Cut leggy canes back to resprout ✂️

Don't

Water it with hard or fluoridated tap water ❌
Let it sit in cold or waterlogged compost ❌
Expect full colour in deep shade ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Feed
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Colourful houseplant for indirect lightTropical container and patio plantingOutdoor shrub and screening in frost-free regions

Companion Plants

Croton DracaenaBromeliad Peace Lily Philodendron

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Ti Plant questions

What zones can Ti Plant grow in?

Ti Plant is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Ti Plant deer resistant?

Yes — Ti Plant is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Ti Plant bloom?

Ti Plant typically blooms in spring to summer through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Ti Plant need full sun?

Ti Plant does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Ti Plant drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Ti Plant handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.