Hawaiian Ti

Cordyline terminalis, also known as the Hawaiian Ti, Ti Tree, Good Luck Tree, Green Ti, Red Ti and occasionally giant dracecaena, is a slow growing evergreen tree with lush large broad green leaves 2' to 3' long and 6" to 8" wide. Collectively the Cordylines are often referred to as the “King of Tropical Foliage”. Native Hawaiians foster a strong belief that growing Ti plants around the home protects and brings good luck to the home. The tree is mildly toxic to pets as it does contain saponins; natural chemicals produced by the plant to protect it from insects, microbes and fungi. The level of toxin, however, is relatively low and the consequences for a pet that ingests the plant are typically limited to gastrointestinal upset. The California Poison Control System lists Cordyline terminalis as a non toxic plant for humans. This does not mean that pets cannot be affected only that the overall lethality of the plant is on the low side for all species. Further decreasing the likelihood of a potentially life threatening intoxication as a result of ingesting Cordyline terminalis is the fact that the saponins give the plant a very bitter taste, making it relatively non palatable. Thus it is wholly unlikely that a pet would or could tolerate eating a massive enough amount of the plant to suffer a life threatening toxicosis.