Ti plant (cordyline) Cordyline fruticosa
Ti plant (cordyline) (Cordyline fruticosa) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Asparagaceae family, native to Southeast Asia to the Pacific and northern Australia. It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Ti plant (cordyline) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Ti plant (cordyline) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–209 weeks after planting, for 4–13 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southeast Asia to the Pacific and northern Australia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Ti plant (cordyline) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: leaves, roots
Saponins cause vomiting, drooling and sometimes dilated pupils in cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Ti plant (cordyline)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Ti plant (cordyline) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (8 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (20 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (4 plants)
- Thai tropical garden (12 plants)
Questions about Ti plant (cordyline)
- How far apart should I plant Ti plant (cordyline)?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Ti plant (cordyline) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ti plant (cordyline) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Ti plant (cordyline)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Ti plant (cordyline) flower?
- About 104–209 weeks after planting, for 4–13 weeks.
- Is Ti plant (cordyline) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people mildly toxic. Saponins cause vomiting, drooling and sometimes dilated pupils in cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Ti plant (cordyline)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ti plant (cordyline). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Foliage ranges from green to deep red and pink-striped; the green form is shown with a red second colour.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars differ widely.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Asparagus Asparagus officinalis
- Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis
- Grape hyacinth Muscari armeniacum
- Common bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
- Tuberose Agave amica (Polianthes tuberosa)
- Century plant (agave) Agave americana