This low-maintenance succulent makes the perfect hanging houseplant.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
String of bananasis atrailing succulentknown for growing fast and being low-maintenance.
With glossy, banana-shaped leaves that grow in long-hanging tendrils, it’s an idealhanging houseplant.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
This drought-tolerant, easy-going succulent needs a spot beside a sunny, warm window to thrive.
String of Bananas Care
String of bananas are easy to care for and grow quickly.
Here are the main care requirements:
Light
These trailingsucculentsrequire bright,direct lightwhen grown indoors.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Choose a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight throughout the day.
They will do well under grow lights if needed.
Soil
String of bananas requires a well-draining soil mix to help preventroot rot.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
you’re free to purchase premixed cactus or succulent soil or mix your own at home.
Water
This hardy succulent is drought-tolerant with low water needs.
you could use amoisture meterto help you confirm when the soil has dried out completely.
Water deeply to moisten all the soil without leaving the soil soggy or the plant sitting in standing water.
Reduce the watering frequency significantly during their dormant winter phase.
String of bananas can also be grown successfully outdoors in succulent gardens.
However, they are not frost-tolerant.
Growth will slow considerably in low temperatures, and anything below 32F can kill the plant.
Fertilizer
As with most succulents, string of bananas does not require regular fertilizing.
Organicfertilizers, such as worm compost, liquid kelp, orfish emulsion, are recommended.
Pruning
String of bananas is a trailing succulent, so it will not need much pruning.
Encourage tidy growth by moving the trails where you want them placed in the pot.
Propagating String of Bananas
Propagating string of bananasvia stem cuttingsin the spring or summer is simple.
It’s the perfect option for adding to your succulent collection or gifting plants to others.
Moving to a bigger pot once every couple of years to refresh the soil is usually enough.
Take care during repotting to ensure you dont break any delicate stems.
During this dormant season, reduce watering.
Plant in a pot with drainage holes and cactus soil with perlite to promote drainage.
Most notably, watch out for signs of root rot, which can result from overwatering.
Bloom Months
String of bananas usually bloom between late winter and early spring.
How Long Does String of Bananas Bloom?
This plant’s blooms will last up to six weeks before fading.
What Do String of Bananas Flowers Look and Smell Like?
This plant’s flowers are white or pale blush and smell like cinnamon.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Give the plant plenty of sunlight to achieve more blooms.
Place in full direct light and see to it to fertilize regularly.
Deadheading String of Bananas Flowers
Deadheading spent blooms will encourage more flowering.
Here are some early warning signs you might need to tweak their low-maintenance care regime.
Check your potting mix and see if the soil feels soggy.
If so, you are watering too often or you may want to repot in a better-draining succulent mix.
Alternatively, if the soil is too dry and leaves flat and wrinkly you may not be watering enough.
Regularly checking the soil is the best strategy.
You want to lay off watering to let the soil dry out quickly.
Sometimes, root rot might have already set in, and you might be unable to salvage your plant.
In this case, look for non-mushy stems and take cuttings to propagate new plants.
Keeping the succulent planted in well-draining soil and in a pot with adequate drainage will help prevent root rot.
Check the soil more regularly and water generously if it’s fully dry.
Unfortunately, the lost lower leaves won’t grow back.
Theleaves can also turn yellowand be smaller than normal.
Pick a spot next to a window that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight.
They don’t need pruning, feeding, or lots of water.
North Carolina State Extension.
