Members only
Unlock the Plant Library
Care guides for 220+ plants: light, water, soil, pets, seasonal calendars and troubleshooting. Enter the password from your welcome email to get in.
Plant Profiles / Cordyline
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Cordyline
Cordyline fruticosa · Ti plant, good luck plant
A tropical plant with strappy leaves in vivid red, pink, burgundy and green. Bold colour for warm balconies and bright interiors.
Bright light to part shadeLight
WeeklyWater
EasyCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Bright light to part shade
ShadeFull sun
Bright light for best colour.
Water
Weekly
DryWet
Keep lightly moist.
Humidity
Average to high
LowHigh
Likes humidity.
Temperature
10–35°C (50–95°F)
CoolWarm
Frost tender.
Growth
Moderate, upright
SlowFast
Grows 1–3 m.
Soil
Rich, free-draining
LeanRich
Potting mix.
Fertiliser
Monthly in summer
RarelyOften
Balanced fertiliser.
Pet safety
Toxic
SafeToxic
Contains saponins.
About this plant
Cordyline fruticosa comes from South-East Asia and the Pacific. It grows upright on slender stems and is easy to propagate from cuttings.
Best spots
Warm balconies, tropical gardens, poolside and bright indoor spots.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Cordyline fruticosa |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Origin | South-East Asia & Pacific |
| Plant type | Evergreen shrub |
| Mature size | 1–3 m |
| Growth rate | Moderate |
| Foliage | Colourful strappy leaves |
| Flowers | Small lilac sprays |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Cuttings |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Active growth
Prune
Fertilise
Active growthPruneFertilise
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Faded colour | Not enough light. |
| Brown tips | Dry air or fluoride. |
| Leggy | Cut back to encourage branching. |
| Root rot | Overwatering. |
| Spider mites | Raise humidity. |
Common questions
Can I cut it back?
Yes, it reshoots from below.
Can it grow indoors?
Yes, in bright light.
Is it toxic?
Yes.
How do I propagate it?
Stem pieces in moist mix.
