How to Grow a TI Plant From a Cutting
The Ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa) is a tropical evergreen. It can grow up to 13 feet high, consisting of a single woody stalk from which long glossy leaves sprout. Its stark architectural shape, scented flowers and colorful berries make it a popular conversation starter in specialty gardens. The Ti plant is relatively hardy and easy to maintain. It is also easy to transplant and grow from cuttings taken from a mature Ti plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Gallon-sized pot
- Potting soil
- Ti plant
- Pruning shears or hand saw
- Rooting powder (optional)
Instructions
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Fill a gallon-sized pot with potting soil. Standard potting soil is sufficient and may be obtained from your local nursery or the garden department at your favorite general retailer.
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Make a cutting from a mature Ti plant. Use a handsaw or pruning sheers to cut off a 3- to 4-inch-long piece of the plant's trunk from its top. For best results, cut from a Ti plant that is at least 3 feet tall and has a trunk diameter of 1 inch or more.
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Prepare the cutting. Break off the leaves and leaf buds on the Ti cutting. Discard the leaves, or use in your garden as mulch or composting material. Some gardeners dip the cut end of the Ti stalk in rooting powder. This accelerates the growing process but is not necessary.
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Plant the cutting in the pot. Plant vertically if you want a single Ti plant. Sink the cutting into the soil vertically with the cut end in the ground at least 2 inches deep. Plant horizontally if you want several Ti plants. Bury the entire cutting horizontally an inch below the surface and cover with soil.
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Water. Keep the pot's soil moist at all times. Place in a cool, shaded area that is out of direct sunlight.
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Observe the Ti cutting. The cutting will begin to take root within a week. At that time, you will see new leaf buds forming at the top of the cutting if you planted it vertically. Typically, a cutting will grow two to four new buds. If you buried the entire stalk, it will begin sprouting buds along the length of its body. The buds typically break the potting soil's surface within two to three weeks.
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Transplant the Ti plant once its leaves are an inch long. Transplant into a 10-gallon pot if you plan to keep it permanently in a pot. Alternatively, plant directly in the outside ground. For best results, red Ti plants should be planted in direct sunlight and green Ti plants should be planted in the shade. This results in the most vibrant colors.
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Tips & Warnings
In Hawaii, Ti plants are viewed as possessing spiritual power. Some people believe that planting the Ti plant near a home will bring good luck to those in the house.
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Comments
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I have a planter with three Ti plants, about three foot tall. They are doing well for being 'rescued'. Some of the leaves were brown, but the bad ones have fallen off and new leaves are forming in each one. When you want to have cuttings to make new plants, where do you cut them on the plant? Do you chop off the tops with all the leaves? Mine are all single stalks with leaves on top, there's no more branch at the top. I'd love to have cuttings and new plants, but have no idea where to start! Thanks!
