Why are my leaf tips turning brown?

This is often a reaction to fluoride in tap water or air that is too dry.

Does it need direct sunlight?

It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its vibrant leaf colors.

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

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 spring to early summer

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 27°C
Humidity: 50 to 80%
Drought tolerance: low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years in home conditions.
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface of the soil for too long.
The plant stops growing during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant is considered mildly toxic to humans if ingested in large quantities due to the presence of saponins.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children and pets as the leaves can be a choking hazard if chewed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: While the leaves are sometimes used for wrapping food, the roots contain saponins that can cause digestive upset if consumed.

How to identify it

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

Height: 0.6 to 3m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: red, pink, purple, green, evergreen
Flowers: white, lavender, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: red, Late summer

Common problems

Spider mites — These tiny pests thrive in dry indoor air and cause stippling on the leaves.
Leaf spot — Fungal infections often appear as brown or black spots on the foliage when humidity is too high.
Tip burn — Brown, crispy leaf tips are usually caused by fluoride in tap water or low humidity.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division, seed
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Overwintering: Move the plant indoors before temperatures drop below 50 degrees. Keep it away from cold drafts and reduce watering slightly during the winter months.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 10 inches wide.

Stem Cuttings

Cut a healthy stem section that is 4 to 6 inches long.
Remove the lower leaves to expose the nodes.
Place the cutting in a glass of water or moist potting soil.
Keep in a warm spot with bright, indirect light until roots form.

Group plants with similar water needs together to create a microclimate that keeps humidity levels high.

Grows well with

Peace Lily — They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
Ferns — Ferns create a lush, tropical aesthetic that complements the upright form of the Cordyline.

Keep away from

Cactus — Cacti require dry, arid conditions that will quickly kill a moisture loving Cordyline.

Similar species

Dracaena — They share a similar growth habit and are often confused due to their long, strap like leaves.

Science

Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Cordyline
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as a threatened species, but wild populations are sometimes overharvested for cultural use.

It grows as an understory shrub in tropical forests where it relies on filtered light and consistent moisture.

Uses: Ornamental houseplant, Tropical garden accent, Traditional food wrapping

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

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 often a reaction to fluoride in tap water or air that is too dry.
Does it need direct sunlight?: It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its vibrant leaf colors.

Where the name comes from

The name Cordyline comes from the Greek word kordyle, meaning club, referring to the enlarged roots. Fruticosa means shrubby or bushy in Latin.

Good to know

The leaves were historically used to make traditional grass skirts in Polynesia.
It is a member of the Asparagaceae family, making it a distant cousin to asparagus.
The plant comes in many vibrant colors including shades of pink, red, and purple.

Is your ti plant looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

Get the app

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.