Why Is My Red Cordyline Turning Green?

Light Exposure

• When red-leaved ti or cabbage tree plants do not receive adequate light levels, the red pigments tend to diminish. Instead, leaves display more of a dulled green or purplish-green color, with subtle hints of red. Increase the amount of light that the plants receive to encourage redder leaves. Once plants develop green leaves, it may take several months for the newest foliage to appear with attractive, reddish leaves once again.

Improper Fertilization

• Gardeners sometimes become too eager to increase the size of their plants and wind up over-fertilizing them. Supplying too much fertilizer to ti or cabbage tree plants does not result in more intense red colors in the leaves. Instead it leads to greener leaves, especially if the fertilizer is rich in nitrogen. While these tropical plants grow best in fertile soil, adding compost and slow-release fertilizer provides a lower but consistent amount of nutrients that help the plants develop their natural reddish color.

Seasonal Temperatures

• Do not expose any species of Cordyline to freezing temperatures at the risk of killing leaves or the entire plant. The best growth and leaf coloration occur when daytime temperatures are in the 80 to 90 degree Fahrenheit range and the nighttime lows dip down between 55 and 70 F. When temperatures remain too hot, both during the day and especially at night, ti and cabbage tree leaves do not manufacture as much carbohydrates. The temporary result is leaves that are not as red as expected. Increased red pigmentation occurs during the frost-free months from fall to late spring.

Caution

• Do not quickly increase sunlight levels on ti or cabbage trees as this can cause leaf scalding, which is similar to sunburn. Slowly increase light levels over the course of two to four weeks. Morning sun rays are less intense and not as potentially burning compared to midday or hot afternoon rays. If sunlight intensity becomes too strong too quickly, the leaf surfaces bleach to tan or white, creating holes over time. Winter sun rays are less intense compared to midsummer rays.