Identifying and Caring for a Ti Plant (Cordyline terminalis)

What Is a Ti Plant?

The plant described—spear-shaped leaves with dark green and bright pink edges, newer leaves more pink, growing from a central stem—is a Ti plant (Cordyline terminalis). Native to Hawaii, its leaves are traditionally used to make hula skirts, and it's considered a symbol of good luck.

Care Requirements

Light

Provide as much light as possible. The more light the plant receives, the more colorful the foliage becomes.

Watering

Ti plants prefer evenly moist soil but are sensitive to overwatering. Water from the top and wait until the top half-inch of soil feels dry before watering again. Avoid letting the plant sit in soggy soil.

Water Quality

These plants are sensitive to hard water, chlorine, and fluoride, which can cause brown leaf tips. Use filtered or distilled water if your tap water is heavily treated.

Repotting

Trim any roots that emerge from drainage holes. Repot only when the soil dries out within a couple of days after a thorough watering—move up just one pot size.

Pruning

If stems become leggy or lose lower leaves, prune them back to about 3 feet. New growth will emerge just below the cut.