Family: Asparagaceae
Common name: Ti plant, Hawaiian Ti, Palm lily, Cabbage palm
Ti plants are very common in gardens, grown as ornamental plants for their beautiful red and green foliage. There are beautiful cultivars in green, red, copper, and a variety of beautiful colors.
Plant Characteristics
They can grow to a height of 3-4 meters with broad leaves very similar to Dracaena fragrant, but not as long. Cordylines and Dracaenas belong to the same family and have similar characteristics, both thriving indoors and outdoors.
Roots of the Ti plants are shallow, spreading horizontally along the ground. The stem is thick, erect, and slightly branched, turning woody at the base.
The leaves are about 60 cm long and 10 cm wide, with bright red, pink, or green colors. There are variegated hybrids as well, with pink and dark red leaves; green and yellow leaves, and other combinations of these shades.
Though not very common, Ti plants also produce small bunches of white or yellow flowers that later turn into red berries. Flowers and fruits are not very noticeable since they are not as beautiful as the foliage.
Growing Tips
Ti plants can be grown indoors successfully, but the brilliant foliage color will be affected in the shade. They prefer good sunlight, but too much direct sunlight might burn the tips of the leaves.
If you are growing them indoors, make sure that they are kept near a window with good indirect sunlight.
Ti plants can be grown in pots or in the ground very successfully. Regular watering is needed especially when they are grown in pots.
Fertilize once a month with a slow-release fertilize like bone meal, also animal manure, and compost. Since these plants are not heavy-feeders, you can stop fertilization during winter months when the plants go dormant.
They grow single-stemmed and tall, becoming gangly over time. But they can be pruned easily; the cut stems are planted as separate individual plants. The parent plant will then branch where it was cut, resulting in multiple stems growing at the same time.
Uses of Ti Plants
Ti plants are mostly grown as ornamentals in home gardens, parks, and landscaped areas. They are sturdy and low-maintenance, and are hence ideal for gardens where they can be pretty much ignored for days.
Ti plants used to have great religious significance olden days in Madagascar, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other countries; where the Ti plants were believed to be capable of holding souls, and warding off evil spirits.
Red plants symbolized war, and green plants symbolized peace and healing. They were part of rituals, decorations, and attire of priests and shamans.
These plants were planted around sacred groves and shrines. Even now, many people plant Ti plants in their gardens as symbols of good luck, protection, and fertility.
Ti plant leaves can be eaten after cooking; and are also used to wrap other food items for steaming. They are used to make skirts in ritual dances; for making woven baskets and for thatching houses.
The leaves are made into an infusion and used as a remedy for inflammations, wounds, and cuts; leaf juice is used to treat ear pain, eye infections, cough, cold, gastritis, and hypertension. Roots are used to treat wounds, inflammations, toothache, and laryngitis.
The fruits have high sugar content, and can be used as sweeteners in desserts.
Propagation
Propagation is from stem cuttings and rhizomes.
Seed propagation is very rare since flowering and fruiting is not very common in garden plants.
15-20 cm long stem cuttings taken from healthy plants can be planted in moist, well-draining soil to take root in a few days.
Photographed at: Nandi hills, Bangalore; Alleppy, Kerala; Terminal 2, Bangalore International Airport
