© 2019 Elsevier B.V. High crystallinity anatase/rutile layers are prepared on the surface of commercially pure titanium (cpTi) by hydrothermal method at 160 °C for 3 h. The surface morphology of titania layers is changed by adjusting the pH value and Ti 4+ concentration of treating solution (TS). Obtained nanorods on all TS samples are composed of pure rutile and the anatase co-deposited with rutile is found in the dense bottom layer. The possible co-deposition mechanism of polymorphs layers is given in this study. In this study, the rutile nanorods array with high energy (101) facet exposed is found on the TS 3 sample. In vitro apatite forming ability of the TS samples are confirmed by soaking them in Kokubo's simulated body fluid (SBF, pH 7.4, 36.5 °C) for 1 and 3 days. Results show that apatite particles could be obtained on all TS samples within 1 d. After 3 days' immersion in SBF, TS 3 sample shows strongest apatite X-ray diffraction. These results indicate that the ability in inducing apatite on cpTi with TS 3 treatment is excellent. Such excellent apatite-forming ability is ascribed to the existence of thick titania layer with high energy (101) facet exposed on the TS 3 sample.