Are you manifesting luck? Let’s face it, we could all do with a bit of extra luck, and the glorious Hawaiian Ti Plant (Cordyline Fruticosa) is said to deliver just that.
Hawaiian Ti, Good Luck Plant or Wishing Plant didn’t originate from Hawaii but from Southeast Asia (surprise). Folklore teaches that they bring good luck and ward off evil lurking nearby. If you take a trip to Hawaii, you’ll see them planted everywhere for that purpose.
They also come in handy to make the traditional hula skirts, leis, and necklaces for the same reason!
From a young table plant to grown-up leaves cascading towards the floor, the Hawaiian Good luck Plant boasts different foliage shapes and plenty of color variations, from chocolate brown to radiant red. Ti plant’s foliage varies in width and length, though most leaves grow to about 1ft long. This robust piece of greenery makes for one heck of an indoor plant!
Similarly to the dracaena plant, the leaves branch off from the main trunk in a new rosette of leaves. The lower leaves also die off, which is normal to encourage new growth.
Though this tropical plant is better suited for nurturing plant parents, it is relatively low-maintenance.
5 Easy Steps To Keep Your Wishing Plants Happy
To save you some stress, we have rounded up five easy steps for you to keep your portable green happy!
- Any soil type is acceptable as long as there are drainage holes.
- Avoid direct sunlight. Indirect light only. But make sure there is enough light.
- House temperate should be 18 and 26 degrees Celsius; over 26 degrees is a crime!
- Only use fertilizer if you are sure it will not do harm your plant. It is not necessary at all.
- Put an alarm or reminder on that watering schedule to keep your plant hydrated, but not too hydrated!
Care, hacks and tips
Temperature
As jungle plants, they prefer warm temperatures and higher humidity than most houseplants, though too much heat from direct sun will cause troublesome conditions for the Ti plant.
Ideally, the Hawaiian Ti plant should be kept between 18-27ºC and no lower than 15ºC, which isn’t a problem if kept indoors. If your Hawaiian Ti plants live in the garden, however, keep them in containers so they can easily be brought indoors during the harsh winters or scorching summers.
Light
Keep your Ti plant in a well-lit spot away from the direct sunlight and drafts. A bright light position with some access to partial shade is ideal and will keep your Hawaiian Ti thriving.
Watering
Ti plants do not require constant watering, but it’s best to give them a drink only when the top quarter of the soil has dried out.
Keep them in a big plant pot with good drainage, since like many tropical plants, Hawaiian Ti are susceptible to root rot. Make sure your majesty isn’t sitting in a puddle of water. A proper watering roughly once or twice a week in the summer and less often in winter should keep the plant happy and healthy.
Since tap water may contain fluorine, which can damage these green babies, it’s smart to hydrate them with distilled water.
For maximum vibrance, give your Hawaiian Ti plant a daily misting
Soil
Ti plants aren’t big fans of soggy soil. So you don’t want the roots to sit long in the water. Any soil, even lay, can work as long as there are drainage holes in the plant pots.
To really nurture your Hawaiian Ti plant, add organic matter such as peat moss or perlite. For those who want to get technical, a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 is optimal!
Repotting
When receiving the Hawaiian Ti plant, do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months or if the roots are starting to get crowded and pop out of the holes.
It’s best to repot in the spring, using a pot that’s 2 inches bigger than the plant itself to keep the roots drier. (Too big of a pot could cause the soil to dry slower, which is not helpful).
Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow it to drain. Use a well-draining indoor potting mix with perlite to help with drainage.
Water your plant in the old pot before transferring over and let it sit for an hour.
Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen.
Inspect the roots. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim them off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, cut through the roots to free the plant a little.
Ensure the plant is sitting about 1 inch below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the line but not over.
Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. If settling occurs, add more. Water well to dampen the soil and let it drain.
You Hawaiian Ti plant will need to be repotted once every two years; once they reach maturity, frequent repotting will not be required anymore. This might be only around every four years and only to change the topsoil to maintain good health.
Fertilizer
Hawaiian Ti Plants indeed are flowering plants. These plants grow clusters of flowers, though they are only about half an inch in their overall width. If you’re seeking a new growth of flowers and fruits, then fertilizer is your call!
With such a small bloom production, Ti plants do not ask for too much fertilization. In fact, the only time that you should consider any plant food is during the growing season, at about two-week intervals. Plus, make sure you pick nitrogen and diluted liquid fertilizers.
Humidity
Hawaiian Ti plants are part of the house plants gang, yet they do love a good sweat.
A good tip to create high humidity is to place the pot on a tray of pebbles surrounded by water. As the water evaporates, it will create a more humid environment for the plant. Alternatively, use an electric humidifier.
Though Hawaiian Ti plants thrive best in humid atmospheres, they will do just fine in lower levels of humidity as long as the air is not very dry.
Propagation
You may have heard garden growers talk about how easy it is to copy parent plants through the act of stem cuttings. It’s that easy peasy to propagate Hawaiian Ti plants, just cut off stem tips from the current pot and repot them.
In the spring or summer, take a stem cutting between 6-8 inches long with leaves attached using sanitized pruners. Dip the cuttings in water, then in a rooting hormone.
Use a pot with drainage. and place the stem 1-2 inches down into the damp, well-draining, moist potting mix and tamp down around the stem securing it. Set it in bright, indirect sunlight while your new Hawaiian Ti plant is rooting. Check the moisture and humidity each day and add misting to keep the soil moist while the roots establish.
After 6-8 weeks, roots will begin to establish. You can tug onto the stem to ensure the roots are secure.
Pruning
As a popular landscape shrub, pruning your Ti plants ensure a bushier appearance, so if you are keen on a jungle look, go for it.
Maintenance
Their long glossy leaves benefit from being regularly cleaned by wiping them down with a damp cloth or place your plant under the shower for a good de-dusting, which should be done often (like once or twice a month). White oil is great to have on hand to deter pests and keep leaves nice and shiny.
Toxicity
Though Ti plants are not poisonous to humans, it is best to keep these bad boys away from your curious fur babies as they can cause unpleasant symptoms like vomiting, lack of appetite and low mood if ingested. Pet-free zones only, please!
A few signs to look out for
#1: Why are the leaves on my wishing plant turning brown?
The average color of Hawaiian Ti leaves range from red to green. If leaves are turning brown, there might be some issues: overwatering, too much sunlight, or excess warm temperatures. The quickest solution is to move the location of your plant to where it has less sunlight. If the plant’s leaves still remain brown, then adjust the watering schedule.
#2: Why are they yellow?
It is clear that your plant foliage is being scorched from the sunlight, so our suggestion is to (again) move location to warm and indirect sunlight.
#3: Loss of leaves
When you notice leaves start to dry up and fall, a sure sign it is time for a bath! Water approximately once a week, allowing for the soil to dry in between.
#4: Spotted leaves
Spotted leaves indicate a fungal pathogen, a very tricky issue. We recommend seeking an expert. Contact a local plant nursery since it is hard to tell which type of fungus your plant has.
Keep Ti Plant Indoors for trendy decor
Here comes the tricky part, where to put them since there are so many places? Safe to say, these tropical beauties are a definite crowd pleaser and provide some serious indoor jungle vibes, so here is some inspiration of where to keep them:
- spaces with high a humidity environment or climate for a trendy tropical atmosphere
- spaces with higher ceilings – the Hawaiian Ti grows tall and can increase the perceived space of your room!
- spaces with bright and indirect sunlight – so the plant stays healthy
- spaces with shelving or with an upward climbing trellis – for villa vibes!
If you’re looking for some more botanic inspiration, our round-up of the world’s luckiest plants has everything – from growing hacks to Feng Shui arrangements that will boost your fortune.
Ready to transition your space into a green sanctuary? You should be! Check out our range of modern planters here.
