The Ti Plant Has Fruits!

In the gardens, I have seen Ti Plants with flowers but it is only this weekend that I have seen one that's borne fruits! Ti Plants (Cordyline fruitcosa) belong to a big family of ornamental plants that adds color and texture to any tropical landscaping. They're grown primarily for its foliage but now, I'm even more zealous in propagating and promoting them if only for its seasonal display of bright red cherries.

Ti Plants are originally from Polynesia but through time, it's become more identified with Hawaii and the South Pacific Islands. Traditionally, húla dancers wore skirts not made of grass but ti leaves. It kinda makes sense as the plant grows profusely in the islands and the colorful foliage is actually quite costume-y. I tried searching for photos though but nothing would come up except this cute illustration (right), complete with a frangipani waistband! Now I don't plan to make or sell hula skirts, but I grow ti plants and obviously like it much since it decidedly gives any garden a very easy-going, island atmosphere.

The leaf sizes vary, and some grow to be very tall (above). Some have short and wide leaves that curl (below, foreground) while some have long and narrow ones that point (further below). Patterns range from stripes, margins, random variegations, and fading hues, in an even bigger variety of colors: all shades of green, brown, maroon, fuschia, yellow and orange.

 

Today, garden enthusiasts are dazzled by so much variety, with new cultivars emerging every so often (below).