Red Leaf Plant in Puerto Rico

by John Giordano
(Roanoke, VA)

I have attached a picture of the plant I am interested in.
Can you tell me what it is, what zones it will grow in and where I can purchase it as bulb, root stock or plant?
I want to plant this plant in Zone 7.
Thank you,
John Giordano


Drought Smart Plants reply:
Wow, that colour just rips your eyeballs out! What a treat! The look of this seems familiar, but I've honestly never seen one this colour, so I'm thinking that it must be a new variety of what used to be known as the 'Ti' plant, which originated in Hawaii. The correct botanical name is Cordyline terminalis.

If this is the same plant, it's grown from 'logs' or short bits of stem that are imported from Hawaii, which are placed on top of damp soil, and they produce new shoots which you cut off and grow like a cutting.

As it's native to Hawaii, I'm not sure you would be able to grow it outdoors in your climate, however, it would grow very well as an indoor plant through the winter, and move outdoors for summer as soon as it warms up.

Hope this helps with your plant identification.
Jacki