How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Hawaiian Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa)

The Hawaiian Ti Plant is an absolutely beautiful houseplant that's easy to care for. Kevin Espiritu provides here an in-depth guide to growing and caring for this tropical palm-like indoor and outdoor evergreen.

A shot of a row of hawaiian ti plant

Contents

If you’re considering a tropical, you need a Cordyline fruticosa, best known as a Hawaiian ti plant. While sitting at your office desk in front of a glowing computer screen, maybe your Hawaiian ti plant is just what you need to up and whisk you away to lush tropical lands.

These beautiful, versatile cordylines will yank you out of your winter doldrums and have you basking in the sun of your own (imaginary) tropical holiday. Ti plants – considered a good luck plant – are perfect outdoors in the tropics or as houseplants. And they require very little care to thrive.

So let’s discuss the ti plant, and how you can have one of your own at home.

Plant Overview

A close-up shot of the cordyline fruticosa that is placed in a pot in a well lit area outdoors
Plant Type Palm-like evergreen perennial
Family Asparagaceae
Genus Cordyline
Species Cordyline fruticosa
Native Area Melanesia Pacific Islands, North Australia,
Exposure Bright, indirect light
Height 10-15’
Watering Requirements Regular
Pests & Diseases Fungus gnats, root rot, leaf spot, fusarium wilt
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Well-draining, rich
Hardiness Zone 10-12

What is Hawaiian Ti Plant?

The Hawaiian Ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa), also known as the “good luck plant”, is a vibrant tropical plant known for its long, slender, and colorful leaves that range from deep green to shades of red, pink, and purple. The Hawaiian ti is a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor ornamental gardening. It can grow several feet tall, with leaves that add a lush, exotic appeal to any setting.

Native Area

A shot of a row of cordyline fruticosa evergreen showcasing their bright red-maroon hue, that is placed in a well li area outdoors
This evergreen is native to Southeast Asia and Pacific Wetlands.

The ti plant was first brought to Hawaii by early Polynesian settlers. It can be found in tropical Southeast Asia and Pacific wetlands. The number of ways the ti leaves are used is staggering: roof thatching, food wrapping, clothing like skirts and sandals, cattle feed, dishes, medicine, liquor, and even sleds for kids!

Hawaiians plant ti around their homes for protection, luck, and prosperity. The leaves are sometimes worn to scare off the oogie-boogies and attract good spirits. Sacred to the god Lono and the goddess Laka, the leaves are still used in spiritual ceremonies and rituals today.​

Characteristics

A close-up shot of a tropical broadleaf evergreen showcasing its red colored, lance-shaped leaves, situated in a well lit area outdoors
It has thin, lance-shaped leaves that has a wide range of color.

Botanically, a ti plant is a tropical broadleaf evergreen with thin, lanceolate leaves. The leaf color of its colorful foliage ranges widely from green to black, red, orange, pink, purple, and everything in between. Summer is the season that the ti plant blooms panicles of lavender-colored flowers that fade to reveal red berries.

In the wild, these plants reproduce via the berries that result from their flowers. In domestic settings, it’s much easier to propagate a Hawaiian ti plant from stem cuttings. Most gardeners keep them as house plants and cultivate them for decades.

Varieties

A close-up shot of a variety of the tropical broadleaf evergreen that is named Cordyline fruticosa ‘Candy Cane’, showcasing its unique colored leaves in a well lit area outdoors
This tropical evergreen has many varieties.

There are many different choices when it comes to ti plants. Let’s discuss some of the most popular Hawaiian ti plant varieties.

  • Cordyline fruticosa ‘Black Mystique’ grows 4-8′ tall, 3-5′ wide, and excels both indoors and outside in partial sun and shade.
  • Cordyline fruticosa ‘Candy Cane’ is a unique, striped hot pink and green variety that starkly contrasts the classic ti plant varieties.
  • Cordyline fruticosa ‘Florida Red’ is a lighter version of ‘Black Mystique’, with flecks and strips of darker purple and red instead of flaming hot pink stripes.
  • Cordyline fruticosa ‘Hawaiian Boy’ is a vibrant and eye-popping red and purple variety that makes a statement in any home or yard.
  • Cordyline fruticosa ‘Maria’ is a deep purple and green with extremely bright pink flecking and stripes within them. Nice contrast.
  • Cordyline fruticosa ‘Morning Sunshine’ is one of the most unique varieties. It is very light in color, and its green leaves are striped with white, yellow, and pink.
  • Cordyline fruticosa ‘Red Sister’ is a vibrant reddish-pink to purple that looks almost fluorescent in its brightness.

Planting

A close-up shot of a tropical evergreen that is placed in a small pot in a well lit area outdoors
Select a pot with proper drainage holes and use a quality potting mix.

To plant a Hawaiian Ti plant, start by selecting a spot that provides partial shade, as too much direct sun can damage its vibrant leaves. Choose a well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, ideally slightly acidic.

If planting outdoors (only in zones 10-12), dig a hole as deep as the root ball and slightly wider to give roots room to establish. Place the plant in the hole, then backfill with soil, pressing gently to remove air pockets. Space plants about two to three feet apart for optimal growth.

For container planting, use a pot with drainage holes and a quality potting mix. Water thoroughly after planting, and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to avoid root rot. Adding a layer of mulch around the plant helps retain soil moisture. Mist occasionally to mimic its natural tropical habitat, especially if grown indoors.

How to Grow

If you are lucky enough to live in a tropical place already, you could use this plant in your landscaping. For the rest of us, it’s best to keep this one as a houseplant where you can control the conditions better. Here are some tips for keeping a Hawaiian ti plant colorful and healthy.

Light

A close-up shot of a broadleaf evergreen showcasing its red lance-shaped leaves basking in bright sunlight in an area outdoors
This evergreen thrives in bright indirect sunlight.

If your Hawaiian ti plant is planted outside, find a spot where it will get at least four to six hours of bright light. Give it some dappled sun as opposed to direct sunlight. Indoor plants won’t need as much sun, so place them about three to five feet away so they can access indirect light from a window.

Water

A close-up shot of a broadleaf evergreen showcasing its lance-shaped leaves with droplets of water in a well lit area outdoors
It likes humid conditions and a spritzing of water per day helps the foliage.

The Hawaiian ti plant likes it at least 75% humid, so keep the soil moist (not flooded) and consider spritzing the leaves with filtered or distilled water each day as well. How often and how much you water depends on you and your schedule. Consider watering earlier or later in the day, so it doesn’t evaporate so quickly. Just don’t let it go dry, and you should be fine.

Dropping leaves is a sign that you need to increase your plant’s happy hour times. If you have trouble with keeping the soil consistently moist, try setting the container on a plate of gravel with a little water to increase humidity. As for a watering schedule, give your plant a flush of water until it seeps out the drainage holes every other week during the growing season (spring and summer).

Soil

A close-up of rich, dark soil, its texture crumbly and loose, indicating excellent drainage properties. The earth appears fertile, promising optimal conditions for plant growth and root development, teeming with potential for lush greenery to flourish.
They develop best in well-draining soil.

Your ti plant grows best in well-draining soil. Yes, even a tropical plant that adores humidity like this one still needs well-draining soil to live a happy life. In your outdoor garden, completely clear away (roots and all) any grass or weeds that might steal nutrients from your ti plant. Work a little peat moss and perlite.

into the tilled soil to improve the drainage, especially if you have heavy clay earth.

Indoors, use a container with drainage holes to promote better drainage when watering. Use the same soil mix you would outdoors.

Temperature

A shot of a row of tropical evergreens or cordyline fruticosa in a well lit area outdoors
The ideal temperature for this tropical evergreen is between 65 and 95°F (18-35°C).

To prevent drying out, make sure it is not near a vent or a drafty area. Like many tropical plants, the ideal temperature range for your Hawaiian ti plant is between 65 and 95°F (18-35°C), which is why they make such good houseplants.

Fertilizing

A gardener wearing white gloves, holding a bottle cap with liquid mineral fertilizer, over a watering can and some pots.
Use a small amount of diluted liquid fertilizer.

If the leaves are browning a bit, you might want to add the tiniest bit of diluted fertilizer or tropical plant food. Whatever kind you choose, make sure you add it from some distance. Keep it away from the leaves and stems to prevent burning. Fertilize only once per month in spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter.

Maintenance

Maintaining a Hawaiian ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa) is relatively simple as long as you provide conditions similar to its tropical origins. Wiping the leaves with a damp cloth now and then to remove dust helps the plant absorb light more effectively. Pruning and repotting is discussed next.

Repotting

A shot of several tropical evergreen in pots in a well lit area outdoors
Gradually increase the pot size until the foliage reaches the desired height.

The size of the pot will determine whether you have a three-foot plant or a ten-foot plant. Start off smaller and gradually increase the pot size until your plant reaches the desired height. Make a hole in the dirt twice the size of the root ball, then place some loose dirt in the bottom before inserting the plant. Fill in around the roots with soil, pressing down around it when filled. Give it a good drink of water when finished.

Pruning​

Close-up of a person’s hand using pruning shears to trim the branches of a sapling.
Trim off damaged leaves and overgrown branches.

Ti plant pruning is quite easy. Feel free to trim off discolored and damaged leaves any time of year to keep your plant neat and tidy. If your plants are getting leggy, you can prune what you don’t like during the growing season to approximately 12 inches above soil. You may notice some branching out happening around the cut later, so you can use this to control for overall size.

Propagation

A close-up shot of stems and red leaves of a tropical evergreen all situated in a well lit area indoors
You can propagate them through seeds and cuttings.

You can take cuttings and plant the canes in pots of sand combined with your choice of vermiculite, peat moss, or perlite. Another method involves putting the canes in one inch of water with a bit of fertilizer if you want to speed things up. Change the water every once in a while so the root beginnings don’t rot. Before the roots get long enough to break easily, plant the cane outdoors or in a container with potting soil, sand, and either vermiculite, peat moss, or perlite.

For seeds, you can plant the berries in containers with the above-mentioned soil mixtures kept moist. If you squeeze the berries slightly before planting, you might get faster germination. When the seedlings have grown a few inches, transplant each to its own pot.​

Common Problems

As this plant is sensitive to moisture and temperature levels, a few problems and plant diseases can arise. Here’s what you need to be on the lookout for.

Growing Problems

A base shot of a growing tropical evergreen in a well lit area outdoors
Growing issues stem from over fertilization, overwatering and from using a small container.

Fertilizer burn from too much plant food will kill off younger leaves, though the plant itself survives. Make sure you dilute your choice of fertilizer and direct its application away from the stems and leaves. Overwatering can also cause conditions in which diseases can thrive. Make sure you use a container with a good-sized drainage hole.

Pests

A close-up shot of a fungus gnat attached to a leaf in a well lit area
Fungus gnats are the common pests but can be prevented by using neem oil.

Fungus gnats may lay eggs in the base of your plant, giving their larvae access to roots after they hatch. As they feed, they can cause leaf drop. To rid your ti plants of these pesky dudes, reduce your watering frequency, as they are attracted to constantly moist soil. Then provide your ti plants with a diluted neem oil drench to kill the remaining eggs or larvae.

Disease

A close-up of a plant's roots affected by a fungus, showing discolored, decaying roots and dark soil.
The evergreen is susceptible to fungal diseases.

Fusarium wilt and root rot present on these plants as yellowing and wilting leaves on the lower parts of the plant, wilting leaves and spots on the stems, and perhaps some yellow spore powder and brown roots. Dispose of infected plants, and check your watering habits.

Fungal leaf spot causes brown, oval spots with a yellow ring on the leaves and leaf tips. Watering too much might be the culprit.

Bacterial leaf spot and stem rot causes slimy leaves and stems, blackened roots, and rotten cuttings. Not much can be done aside from getting rid of the infected plants and making sure the new ones you get aren’t bringing them home with them.​ The disease can be prevented through proper care measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

The leaves of my ti are getting little brown spots and burned tips. I’ve checked everything and don’t know what’s wrong.

If you’re watering from a city tap, it is likely the fluoride in it causing the problem. Try using rain water or bottled water instead to solve the issue.

Is Hawaiian ti plant indoor or outdoor?

It’s grown as a houseplant most often but can grow outdoors in tropical regions.

Can Hawaiian ti plants take full sun?

They can sometimes, but prefer bright, indirect light.

Is Hawaiian ti plant a perennial?

Yes! They are tropical perennial shrubs.

How long do Hawaiian ti plants live?

Put them in your will because they live on average for 50 years or more.

Are coffee grounds good for ti plants?

While some sources may say adding coffee grounds is a good idea, it’s best to try a formulated fertilizer instead. While some people believe the acidity in coffee can harm plant roots, used coffee grounds are essentially pH-neutral, so the acidity isn’t an issue.

Is Hawaiian ti toxic to dogs?

Ti plants contain saponin compounds that, in large amounts, can harm the digestive systems of dogs, cats, and small children. Keep them out of reach of all three when at all possible.

How often do you water a Hawaiian ti?

Water them every other week during spring and summer, and cut back on watering when fall and winter arrive.

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