The Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa), despite its name and appearance, is not actually a palm. Belonging to the Asparagaceae family, it is closely related to Dracaenas and Asparagus. It originates from Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, northeastern Australia, as well as the Polynesias and other Indian Ocean islands.
Due to its decorative effect, it has conquered tropical gardens worldwide, and today can be found in many varieties beyond the original typical species. With a woody texture and shrub-like stature, it usually presents just one trunk or few branches, and beautiful leaves, very shiny, leathery, and broad, in green, red, or purple, in solid colors or with variegations of white, yellow, pink, and red.
The inflorescence, of the panicle type, appears in adult individuals, at any time of the year, showcasing small and delicate yellow or pink flowers, delicately scented. The fruits that form are berry-like, turning red when ripe.
There are many cultivars of Ti Plant, selected for their foliage. Among these, we can mention ‘Firebrand’, perhaps one of the most popular, with purplish-red leaves; ‘Tricolor’, with leaves marked in green, pink, and cream-yellow; ‘Amabilis’ with broad oval leaves, speckled in pink and white; ‘Baptisii’, with recurved leaves marked in pink and yellow; ‘Black Mystique’, with an intense purple, almost black color; and ‘Hawaiian Bonsai’, with crimson leaves and not exceeding one meter in height.
A stunning foliage that adds a delightful tropical feel to the garden, this is how we can characterize the landscaping use of the Ti Plant. Its vibrant and diverse colors are perfect for adding beautiful contrasts all year round. It can be used in dense rows and masses, in tropical and contemporary gardens. And even alone, as a focal point, or in combination with other species. It is often used in pots, as foliage, adorning well-lit indoor environments, such as homes, offices, and shopping centers.
Polynesians and Hawaiians have developed many ways to use the Ti Plant, beyond its ornamental use. The plant’s rhizomes are rich in starch and used as food. The leaves serve for a multitude of uses, from covering houses, to making traditional clothing (hulas), alcoholic beverages, and even as “toilet paper”.
They should be grown in full sun or partial shade, in fertile, well-drained soil, enriched with organic matter, and watered regularly. This species tolerates cold and the salinity of coastal regions. The colorful varieties are more beautiful and have more vivid colors if grown in full sun.
It does not withstand drought or low humidity, however, it should not be waterlogged, as this can cause root diseases. It does not thrive in environments with air conditioning. Preferably irrigate with fluoride-free water (use rainwater instead of tap water), which causes spots on its leaves. Apply fertilizers during the growth period, but ensure that the fertilizer does not reach the leaves.
The Ti Plant propagates easily by cuttings, as well as shoots that spontaneously emerge directly from the rhizome, around the mother plant, thus preserving the characteristics of the cultivar. Propagation by cuttings is done by cutting mature segments of the plant’s stem, placed to sprout in substrate kept moist, under filtered shade. After sprouting, a cut is made in the sprouted region and replanted in pots for rooting. Seed propagation is rarer and results in individuals often different from the mother plant. The germination rate is high and takes one to three months to complete.
