Cordyline Fruticosa
Cordyline fruticosa
Cordyline fruticosa, the Ti plant or Ki, is one of the most culturally significant plants in the Pacific and South-east Asia. Carried by Austronesian voyagers as a sacred canoe plant across the breadth of the Pacific Ocean, it is revered for its extraordinary spiritual power and practical versatility across dozens of cultures. It produces fragrant panicles of small flowers and is prized for its strikingly coloured foliage. It symbolizes protection, good fortune, spiritual power, and the enduring strength of community and ancestry.
Asparagaceae (Asparagus family)
Spring to summer outdoors (plants grown indoors in containers rarely flower). Flowering is most reliable in warm, bright outdoor positions.
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: eucalyptuss and foxgloves also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Cordyline fruticosa is one of the most culturally resonant plants in the Indo-Pacific world. In Hawaii, it is known as ki and is considered sacred to the gods Lono and Laka. Ancient Hawaiians believed that ki had divine power to dispel evil and attract good fortune; it was planted around homes, farms, sacred heiau (temples), and graves as a living protective boundary. Hawaiian warriors wore ki leaves as spiritual armour, and healers used the plant in ritual and medicine. In Melanesia, among the Kwaio people of the Solomon Islands, red ti is associated with feuding and vengeance while green ti is associated with ancestor spirits and wards against evil. In Fiji, red ti leaves are worn in traditional dances and used in initiation rituals. In Micronesia, ti leaves are buried under newly built houses to ward off sorcery and shamans use the plant to communicate with the dead. Throughout Polynesia, the green-leafed form was planted at marae (sacred meeting grounds) and carried as a spiritual charm during long voyages. The genus name Cordyline is from the Greek kordyle meaning "club," referring to the large, club-like roots. The species name fruticosa means "shrubby" in Latin.Shop Our Floral Collection
Transform your space with our curated selection of designer floral throw pillows
Visit Full StoreBotanical Information
Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; red and purple-leafed cultivars develop the most vibrant foliage colour in bright, direct sun; green-leafed forms tolerate and often prefer more shade. Foliage colours are intensified in semi-shaded conditions for some cultivars. Indoors, provide the brightest possible position with good indirect light.
Water
Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist during the active growing season; Ti plants have high water needs in warm weather. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering in autumn and winter. Avoid waterlogging at all times. In hot, dry climates, daily watering may be needed in summer.
Soil
Well-drained, Loamy, Sandy Loam, Humus-rich; moist, fertile soil preferred; tolerates a wide range of soils but dislikes heavy clay and waterlogging
Expert Growing Tips
Plant in a sunny to partially shaded position in moist, well-draining, fertile soil; mulch heavily to retain soil moisture
Water frequently during warm weather; Ti plants in containers may need watering daily in summer to avoid leaf scorch and tip browning
Fertilise monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertiliser; slow-release granules can be applied in spring for a season-long nutrient supply
Propagate easily from stem cuttings: cut stems (called ti logs or cane cuttings) of 5 to 30 cm in length will readily root when laid horizontally on moist sand or planted upright in potting mix
Remove dead or damaged leaves at the base to maintain appearance; light pruning of leggy stems encourages branching and a bushier form
WARNING: Ti plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested; keep out of reach of pets. It is not considered harmful to humans in normal household use but all plant material should be kept away from children who might chew it.
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Bold feature specimen in tropical, subtropical, and contemporary gardens
- Colourful hedging, screening, and border plant in frost-free climates
- Container and indoor houseplant where its bold, colourful foliage provides year-round interest
- Hawaiian and Pacific garden-themed plantings
- Cut foliage for floral arrangements and leis; ti leaves are used as liners, wraps, and structural elements by florists worldwide
- Traditional cultural and ceremonial plantings around homes, sacred spaces, and gardens in Pacific Island, Hawaiian, and Filipino traditions
Traditional Uses
- Flowers are used in traditional Hawaiian medicine as a treatment for asthma; floral anthocyanin content has been assessed for potential therapeutic applications
- Steam from boiled young shoots and leaves used as a decongestant in some traditional Pacific Island practices
- The sweet, starchy underground rhizomes were baked and eaten directly or fermented to produce okolehao, Hawaii's only indigenous distilled spirit
- In Polynesia, the rhizome pulp was processed into a sweet molasses-like syrup eaten as a traditional sweet treat
- Used in traditional medicine across the Philippines and Pacific Island communities for treating fever, diarrhoea, and other ailments
- NASA Clean Air Study included Cordyline species as effective filters of indoor airborne toxins including formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cordyline Fruticosa
What does the Ti plant symbolize in Hawaiian culture?
In Hawaiian culture, the Ti plant (ki) is a sacred plant believed to have divine power to protect against evil spirits and attract good fortune. It is associated with the gods Lono and Laka, and was traditionally planted around homes, farms, temples (heiau), and graves as a living spiritual boundary. It was also carried as a protective charm during long sea voyages and used by healers and shamans in ritual and medicine. Planting ki around a home is still considered an act of inviting good luck and positive energy.
Does Cordyline fruticosa have flowers?
Yes, Cordyline fruticosa produces small but fragrant flowers. The flowers are six-lobed, white to pale lavender or yellowish-white, and are borne in large, drooping, branched panicles up to 60 cm long from the growing tips. They are followed by small, shiny red berries. Plants grown indoors in containers rarely flower; outdoor plants in warm, sunny positions produce the best flowering display in spring and summer.
What is the difference between red and green Ti plants symbolically?
In many Pacific Island cultures, the colour of the Ti plant carries distinct symbolic meaning. Red-leafed ti plants are associated with vitality, blood, war, courage, and the connection between the living and the dead. In the Solomon Islands, red ti is linked to feuding and vengeance. Green-leafed ti plants are associated with peace, healing, ancestor spirits, and protection against evil. In Hawaiian culture, both colours were planted around sacred and domestic spaces, with each carrying its own protective and spiritual role.
Is the Ti plant toxic to pets?
Yes, Cordyline fruticosa is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. It contains compounds including saponins that can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, drooling, and other digestive symptoms if ingested. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs and cats. While not typically life-threatening in small amounts, the plant should be kept out of reach of all pets and young children should be discouraged from chewing any part of the plant.
How do I propagate a Cordyline fruticosa Ti plant?
Cordyline fruticosa is very easily propagated from stem cuttings. Cut sections of stem (called ti logs or cane cuttings) that are 5 to 30 cm long. These can be laid horizontally on the surface of moist coarse sand or potting mix with the growing point facing upward, or planted upright in a pot of moist potting mix. Keep warm and moist; new shoots and roots will develop within a few weeks. This is one of the most reliable propagation methods for any tropical plant.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
Share This Flower
Explore More Beautiful Flowers
Discover other flowers with similar meanings, characteristics, or cultural significance.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus spp.
Eucalyptus is an aromatic tree native to Australia, known for its distinctive silvery-blue leaves and medicinal properties. It symbolizes healing, protection, and purification.
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Foxgloves are tall, dramatic spikes of tubular flowers with spotted throats. They symbolize both healing and danger, being both medicinal and highly toxic.
Verbena
Verbena officinalis / Verbena bonariensis
Verbena is a versatile flower with clusters of small, colorful blooms on tall stems. Known for its long blooming period and attraction to butterflies.