Red Sister Ti

Though they're in different plant families, both are easy-care plants that look very similar and have almost identical landscape uses, so we've grouped them together here. Cordyline plants are typically lumped together and called "ti plants." The most popular and commonly grown is "Red Sister" cordyline, with its brilliant fuschia new growth and bronze-magenta leaves.

Cordylines show off their best color during cooler weather a real boon for snowbirds. They're considered a good luck plant in Hawaii where every property seems to have at least one tie plant. Bright shade works fine for all, though some can take more sun than others morning sun, preferably. You often see ti plants doing fine in sunny areas, but they can become brown-edged and raggedy, so give yours afternoon shade.

Ti is correctly pronounced "tee," though most of us fall into the habit of saying "tie" simply because everyone seems to do so. Plant in spring, summer, or fall, spacing plants 1 to 2 feet apart or closer if you want a hedge line. Dig a hole only as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times as wide. If your soil is in very poor condition, amend the soil you've removed from the hole with a small amount of compost. Otherwise don't amend it at all. Carefully remove the plant from the container and set it in the hole. Fill the hole half full with soil, then water it well to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.