Ti leaves, derived from the Cordyline fruticosa plant, are highly valued for their utility in cooking, crafting, and decoration. This tropical foliage is traditionally used for wrapping foods like lau lau during steaming, crafting garlands such as leis, and creating decorative accents. The leaves range from vibrant green to various shades of red and variegation, making them versatile for different purposes. Finding the right source depends on the intended application, quantity required, and desired freshness. This guide offers a breakdown of where to purchase Ti leaves based on specific needs.
Determining Your Purchase Requirements
Identifying the intended use of the leaves will direct you to the most appropriate vendor. For culinary purposes, such as wrapping traditional dishes like lau lau, the preference is for large, clean, untorn green leaves. It is important to confirm that these leaves have not been treated with pesticides or chemicals, ensuring they are food-safe for steaming and baking. The large size, often 18 to 24 inches long, is necessary to fully encase the filling.
Decorative and floral applications, such as tropical arrangements, allow for more variety in color, including red or variegated cultivars. The focus shifts to the leaf’s aesthetic quality, size consistency, and overall visual freshness. For large-scale crafting projects, like constructing hula skirts or bulk lei making, buyers prioritize vendors offering large quantities and economical pricing. These bulk orders require leaves of uniform size and durability for weaving and tying.
Online Vendors and Mail Order Services
Online vendors provide the most reliable source for bulk quantities and specialized leaf types, often shipping directly from tropical growing regions like Hawaii or Florida. Specialty Hawaiian and Pacific Islander suppliers cater directly to culinary and cultural needs, guaranteeing the mature green leaves required for wrapping food. These vendors frequently use insulated boxes and expedited shipping methods to ensure freshness upon arrival.
Large floral wholesalers, who typically supply florists, also make Ti leaves available to the public in bunches of 10 or more stems. These sources are excellent for decorative use, offering not only the common green variety but also colorful rainbow or red cultivars for aesthetic arrangements. Wholesalers specify stem length, often ranging from 15 to 25 inches, which is useful for large vase linings or backdrops. These businesses often require a minimum order size, best suited for event planners or large parties.
Major online marketplaces, including platforms like Etsy or Amazon, host smaller, independent growers specializing in fresh foliage. Buyers should verify the seller’s shipping timeline, as some require a lead time for harvesting and USDA inspections before shipment. Ordering well in advance, ideally two days before the leaves are needed, allows time for them to rehydrate post-transit.
Local Retailers and Specialty Shops
For immediate needs or small quantities, local brick-and-mortar stores allow for quality inspection before purchase. High-end or full-service local florists are a good starting point, as Ti leaves are a common element in tropical-themed arrangements. It is advisable to call ahead to confirm stock, as inventory of tropical foliage can be inconsistent outside of peak seasons. The leaves purchased from a florist are typically conditioned for decorative display and may have a shorter lifespan than those shipped directly from a grower.
Specialty ethnic grocery stores, particularly those focusing on Asian or Pacific Islander foods, often stock fresh Ti leaves specifically for culinary use. These locations are more likely to carry the larger, untreated green leaves suitable for steaming lau lau or other wrapped dishes. The leaves found in these markets are typically intended for immediate consumption and may not have the same longevity as those prepared for floral shipping. This is often the best local option for buyers prioritizing food preparation.
Local garden centers and nurseries are another option, although they primarily sell the Cordyline fruticosa as a potted houseplant. While purchasing a potted plant yields a continuous supply, buyers should confirm the plant’s variety. Many ornamental types have smaller or highly colored leaves less suited for traditional culinary wrapping. Buyers should inquire if the nursery also sells cut foliage, which some do for event decorations or landscaping projects.
Extending the Freshness of Purchased Leaves
Proper post-purchase care is necessary to maximize the usable life of the perishable foliage, which typically ranges from three to fourteen days depending on handling. Upon receiving cut leaves, the stems should be immediately trimmed and placed into clean water for rehydration, similar to cut flowers. This initial soak helps the leaves regain turgidity lost during transit, making them more pliable for crafting or wrapping.
Storage conditions are a determining factor in longevity, with the ideal temperature range being cool, around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, such as the crisper drawer of a refrigerator. Storing the leaves in a loosely sealed plastic bag helps maintain a high-humidity environment, preventing rapid desiccation of the leaf surface. For crafting projects or leis, lightly misting the leaves with water before sealing them helps keep the foliage supple and prevents cracking.
Leaves intended for cooking that have dried slightly can be revived by submerging them entirely in cool water for a brief period. Avoid placing the leaves in direct sunlight or near heat sources, as excessive warmth and low humidity will accelerate wilting and browning of the edges.