Ti Plant (Cordyline terminalis) Indoor Care, Common Issues and Solutions
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Ti Plant (Cordyline terminalis) requires bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, moderate warmth, average humidity and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Cordyline terminalis also called Hawaiian Goodluck Plant, Hawaiian Ti Plant or Polynesian Ti is one of the popular purple-leaved plants that is ideal for adding a splash of color among the greenery and is also believed to bring good luck.
The leaves are broad, about 2 feet long and are usually tinged or splashed with red, pink, orange and cream.
As the Hawaiian Goodluck Plant grows it drops its lower leaves and becomes more tree-like with a trunk topped by a crown of colorful foliage.
Botanical name: Cordyline terminalis
Synonyms: Cordyline fruitcosa, Dracaena terminalis
Family: Asparagaceae
Common names: Ti Plant, Hawaiian Goodluck Plant, Hawaiian Ti Plant, Polynesian Ti
Origin
Cordyline terminalis also called Cordyline fruitcosa or Dracaena terminalis is native to the western Pacific Ocean region, from New Zealand, eastern Australia, southeastern Asia and Polynesia, with one species found in southeastern South America. It is among the popular tropical foliage plants that you can grow successfully in the home, office and other suitable spaces
Size
Ti Plant is a compact False Palm which grows to a height of about 1-2 feet. The leaves are about 2 feet long.
Flower
In the wild Ti Plant produces pink or yellow flower-spikes but not when grown indoors.
Toxicity
Cordyline terminalis is toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. The leaves contain alkyds which if ingested they may cause vomiting and excessive salivation.
Varieties
There are many varieties of Ti Plant. Rededge which has green leaves streaked with red is the favorite one.
Other common varieties of Hawaiian Goodluck Plant are tricolor whose leaves are green and splashed with red, pink and cream. Prince Albert whose leaves are green and red.
There are other varieties like Firebrand whose leaves are bronze. Amabilis, green and white. Baptistii, green, pink and yellow. Ti, all green and is the "grass" used for hula skirts in Hawaii. New varieties include Kiwi and Atom.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to acquire these plants, beautiful and healthy Ti Plants in various sizes are available online from Amazon (Link to Amazon or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Cordyline terminalis Care Indoors
Ti Plant (Cordyline terminalis) flourishes in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight (filtered light), average warmth of 18-290C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Cordyline terminalis requires pruning to keep it neat, to discourage pests and diseases, to encourage a bushy growth, to control growth and to rejuvenate growth. Repotting is only needed when the plant is extremely pot-bound. Keep reading for more on the best growing conditions and how to provide them.
Light Requirements
Ti Plant grows best in bright, indirect light. The leaves will lose color and variegation in too low light.
Do not expose the Hawaiian Goodluck Plant to direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves. However, the all green varieties grow best under some direct sunlight.
Hawaiian Ti Plant can also grow under a grow light where the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Cordyline terminalis can be grown outdoors in a shaded place away from hot direct sunlight to avoid brown sunscorch leaf spots.
Watering
Water Ti Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.
Decrease watering in the cold period to keep the soil slightly moist but do not let it dry out completely.
Avoid soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Ensure that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant. Also, make sure that the water is free of chlorine, flourides and other chemicals to prevent brown leaf tips.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature for Ti Plant is an average warmth of 18-290C with a minumum of 150C. Keep it away from cold drafts to avoid a sudden drops in temperature which can cause brown leaf tips, leaf drop and reduced growth.
Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for Ti Plant. Mist the leaves occasionally and clean them by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pests and diseases.
If the air is too dry especially where the temperatures are too high, set the pot on a wet pebble tray to up humidity or grow the plant in the moist areas of the home. Learn more on how to increase humidity for houseplants.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Ti Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting mixes are ideal for Ti Plant.
Feeding
Feed Ti Plant monthly during the growing period with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer that contains micro-nutrients as magnesium deficiency will lead to yellowing of leaves.
Stop feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.
Regularly flush out accumulated salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for a few minutes and repeat several times. Read more on how to feed indoor plants.
Repotting
Repot Ti Plant at the beginning of the growing season when roots begin to grow through the drainage holes as the plant prefers to be slightly root-bound.
Use a pot 1 size larger and one that has drainage holes. Refresh the top 2-3 in. of soil with fresh soil every 2-3 years for older, larger Hawaiian Goodluck Plants. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Ti Plant involves removal of dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and also reduce pest and disease infestations.
To encourage a bushy growth (branching), sever the stem at the desired height and new stems will sprout below the cut. This will result in the plant producing several stems instead of having just one stem.
When the plant becomes too tall, you may cutback the stem at the desired height to encourage new growth to sprout at a point just below the cut. The foliage emanating from the pruning, can be used to propagate new plants.
Propagation
Ti Plant (Cordyline terminalis) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season by air layering, from stem cuttings or by use of the crown from old leggy canes.
Read more on How to Propagate Coryline terminalis (Ti Plant) - 3 Propagation Methods
Cordyline terminalis Common Problems and Remedies
Ti Plant (Cordyline terminalis) growing issues include leaf spost, loss of variegation, brown leaf tips and edges, yellow leaves, plant death, pests and diseases among others all of which are caused by improper care. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Diseases
Ti Plant is prone to leaf spot disease which is prevalent in humid, stuffy conditions. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the houseplants. Improve air circulation and treat the affected plant appropriately.
Pests
Common pests in Ti Plant are mealy bugs, fungus gnats, scale insects and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat accordingly. Read on how to identify and treat pests in indoor plants.
Brown leaf tips and yellow edges
There are four possible causes of brown leaf tips and yellow edges in Ti Plant. One possible cause of brown leaf tips and yellow edges is too dry air (low humidity).
To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen or other humid areas in the home
The second possible cause of brown leaf tips and yellow edges in Ti Plant is underwatering. Maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold period but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Read more on how to water houseplants the right way.
The third possible cause of brown leaf tips and yellow edges in Polynesian Ti Plant is chemical accumulation in the soil.
Use chemical free water and regularly flush out salts from the soil by running a steady stream of water through the soil for a few minutes. Repeat the process several times.
The fourth possible cause of brown leaf tips and yellow edges in Ti Plant is cold drafts which cause sudden drops in temperature.
Place Hawaiian Goodluck Plant away from cold drafts like air conditioning units, windy doors and windows among others to avoid sudden drops in temperature.
Ti Plant dying
Ti Plant dying is due to three possible reasons. One possible reason is root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil.
Ensure that there is free drainage of both the soil and the pot to avoid getting soggy soil. In addition, cut down on watering during the cold season to prevent the soil from remaining too wet for too long.
The second possible reason for a dying Ti Plant is keeping it too cold. Maintain an average room temperature and keep the plant away from cold drafts.
The third possible reason for the death of Ti Plant is accumulation of salts in the soil. Regularly flush out salts from the soil by running a stream of water through it.
Loss of leaf color in Variegated Ti Plant
Loss of leaf color in variegated Ti Plant is due to too little light. A variegated plant requires more brighter light than the all green varieties.
Position the plant infront of a large, brightly lit window where it will receive very bright, indirect light and shield it from direct sunlight. Alternatively, grow the plant under a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Soft and curled leaves with brown edges
Soft and curled leaves with brown edges in Ti Plant are due to too low temperatures which are caused by cold drafts.
Maintain an average room temperature of 18-290C for your Ti Plant. Keep it away from cold drafts and do not allow the temperature to go below 150C.
Yellowing lower leaves
This is a natural process in Ti Plant. As the plant matures it sheds the lower leaves. Each lower leaf turns yellow and dries leaving a crown of leaves on top of the cane-like stem of the plant.
Brown leaf spots
Ti Plant will develop brown leaf spots if it is underwatered. Maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Bleached dry patches on the leaves
Bleached dry patches on the leaves in a variegated Ti Plant are due to exposure to direct sunlight. Move the plant to a shadier spot or shield it from direct sunlight.
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