Tropicals – Florida Red Ti Cordyline

• Florida red ti cordyline 

Botanical name: cordyline fruticosa 

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 3 – 16 ft in height and a 6 – 8 ft spread

Bloom time:  summer

Hardy zone: zones 9-12

Flower color: white/pink/red

Foliage color: green/red/purple

Growth rate: takes about 5 years to exceed 6 ft, takes about 20 years to fully mature 

Pruning instructions: trim diseased or withered leaves as needed

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: year round color in a garden bed or a pot, good for boarders 

Light needs: 5 – 6 hours of sun a day

Special features: becomes a brighter pink/red color the more it is exposed to sunlight

Watering instructions:  require more water when first planted. Keep soil constantly damp, but not soaking, for the first growing season. More drought tolerant once established.

Fertilizing instructions : use a slow release fertilizer in the spring 

Best time to plant: spring or summer

Best type of soil: loam or sand

Companion plants: daylilies, canna lilies, coneflowers

Toxicity level: potentially mildly toxic if ingested 

Invasive species: no