Why are my leaf tips turning brown?

This is usually caused by low humidity or using tap water with high fluoride content.

Does it need direct sun?

It prefers bright, filtered light, as direct midday sun can scorch the foliage.

Plant guide

Ti Plant.

Cordyline fruticosa

Pronounced kor-di-LY-nee froo-ti-KOH-suh

Also known as Broad-leaved Palm Lily, Good Luck Plant, Pacific Island Cabbage Tree, Palm Lily, Ti Leaf, Ti Plant, Tiplant, broadleaf palm-lily

Photo by Greg III Espera (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The Ti plant is a stunning tropical shrub known for its vibrant, colorful foliage that adds a dramatic flair to any space. It thrives in warm, humid environments and is often associated with good luck in its native Pacific regions. You will love how its bold leaves brighten up a room.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical shrub
Light: Bright indirect light is best for maintaining leaf color.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: Up to 3 meters tall in ideal conditions.
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for browning leaf tips, which often signal low humidity or mineral buildup from tap water. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them free of dust and pests.

Watering: Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems in early spring to encourage bushier growth.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound or the soil degrades.
Soil: Well draining, peat based potting mix.
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral, 6.0 to 6.5.
Temperature: 15 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 15 years in cultivation.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The leaves and stems contain saponins and calcium oxalate crystals which can cause significant oral and digestive irritation if ingested.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children as the leaves are sharp and ingestion of any part can cause mouth pain and swelling.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: While the roots are sometimes cooked in traditional Pacific cuisines, they contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause severe irritation if not prepared correctly.

How to identify it

long, lance shaped leaves
vibrant red, pink, or purple foliage
woody, upright cane stems
leaves spiral around the stem

Height: 1 to 3m
Spread: 0.5 to 1m
Leaves: green, red, purple, pink, evergreen
Flowers: white, lavender, pink, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: red, Summer

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Leaf DropUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
ThripsUncommon

By symptom

Check your ti plant from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division, seed
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Overwintering: Move the plant indoors before the first frost. Keep it in a warm room with high humidity and reduce watering slightly during the winter months.
In containers: It grows very well in containers and prefers a pot that is just large enough to accommodate the root ball.

Stem Cuttings

1. Cut a healthy stem section that is at least 10 cm long.
2. Remove the lower leaves to expose the nodes.
3. Place the cutting in a glass of water or moist potting mix.
4. Keep in a warm, bright spot until roots develop.
5. Transplant into a permanent pot once roots are established.

Group this plant with other tropical species to create a microclimate that helps maintain necessary humidity levels.

Grows well with

Peace Lily — They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
Ferns — Ferns provide a lush, contrasting texture that thrives in the same tropical environment.

Similar species

Dracaena — They share a similar growth habit and care requirements.
Cordyline australis — A related species that is significantly more cold tolerant.

Science

Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Cordyline
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical Southeast Asia, Eastern Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
Conservation: This species is not currently of conservation concern.

It grows as an understory plant in tropical rainforests where it relies on filtered light and high moisture levels.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental houseplant, tropical landscape accent, traditional medicinal use, ceremonial foliage

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaf tips turning brown?: This is usually caused by low humidity or using tap water with high fluoride content.
Does it need direct sun?: It prefers bright, filtered light, as direct midday sun can scorch the foliage.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Cordyline comes from the Greek word kordyle, meaning club, referring to the enlarged underground stems. The species name fruticosa means shrubby or bushy.

Good to know

It is a member of the Asparagaceae family.
The leaves are used to wrap food for steaming in traditional earth ovens.
It thrives in bright, indirect light to maintain its vibrant leaf colors.
It is commonly known as the Ti plant.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your ti plant growing

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.