How to Prune a Ti Plant
The Ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa or Cordyline terminalis), also known by the common names “good luck plant” and “Hawaiian good luck plant,” is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree native to Pacific Islands such as Hawaii, as well as parts of Australia and Southeast Asia.
The Ti plant is only hardy in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12. Therefore, in most climates in the U.S., it is grown as a container indoor plant.
Ti Plant Identification
In its native habitat, Ti plants can have heights of up to 10 feet, although they are considerably smaller when grown as houseplants. The leaves of this species can grow to be more than 2 feet long and 6 inches wide. This species has interesting leaf colors: The foliage has a red hue at first and eventually turns green.
The Ti plant produces panicles of flowers that may be white or a pale lavender color. The flowers eventually give way to red berries. However, specimens grown indoors do not flower or produce fruit.
Tip
Indoor ti plants seldom bloom or produce berries.
Propagation of a Ti plant involves using stem cuttings or laying a piece of the stem on soil and allowing it to root.
Ti Plant Care
Let's look at the requirements for keeping a Ti plant healthy indoors.
Water and Humidity
A Ti plant should be watered regularly during the growing season to keep the soil moist. Water when the surface soil feels dry to the touch.
Reduce watering in the fall and winter but do not stop watering the plant completely, as it does not enter dormancy. This species is sensitive to fluoride in tap water, therefore you will need to water it with distilled water.
Do not let this plant sit in standing water and avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Instead, use well-draining soil.
As tropical plants, Ti plants also need to be kept in a humid room with winter temperatures of at least 65°F. Placing this plant on a tray of wet pebbles can help to maintain the humidity levels it needs.
Light Requirements
Caring for Ti plants also means placing your indoor Ti plant where it will receive indirect bright light. In low light, the colorful foliage of the Ti plant will fade. Avoid exposing this plant to direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves.
Fertilizer
Indoor Ti plants benefit from feeding with a slow-release 20-10-20 fertilizer every two months. Apply a teaspoon of fertilizer to the potting soil for every 6 inches of soil.
Pruning Ti Plants
Ti plants shed their lower leaves as they get older. Their leaves are also harvested in Hawaii for making hula skirts, as well as used as greenery in floral arrangements. Therefore, this plant may sometimes need to be pruned.
To encourage new branching, cut the plant back to about a foot above the soil. If you are looking to reinvigorate the plant, you'll want to cut it down even more, to about 6 inches above the soil.
Tip
Pruning Ti plants helps to promote branching and can also rejuvenate the plant. Pruning is also done to remove dried leaves.
As a Ti plant grows, you also want to remove any yellow or brown leaves, including those with leaf spots.
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References
Tips
- Ti plant clippings can easily be rooted in soil. Keep the rooting medium evenly moist and don't allow it to dry out. Keep the cutting at around 75 degrees F, and provide lots of bright indirect light while it's rooting.
Writer Bio
Since beginning her career as a professional journalist in 2007, Nathalie Alonso has covered a myriad of topics, including arts, culture and travel, for newspapers and magazines in New York City. She holds a B.A. in American Studies from Columbia University and lives in Queens with her two cats.
