Last Updated on October 25, 2022 by Griselda M.
This string of bananas care instructions will help you keep your beloved succulents in their best shape. Did you know that the string of bananas is a low-maintenance succulent? It’s a perfect hanging houseplant.
The string of bananas is native to South Africa and a part of the Asteraceae family. It has glossy small banana-shaped leaves that grow on long, hanging tendrils. While it grows downwards cascading over the pot, you can train it to grow upwards.
Here are some tips on how you should care for your string of bananas succulents.
Planting a string of bananas is quite easy. All you need to do is plant the stem in a container filled with coarse potting soil. This plant likes dry soil and is tolerant of drought. Hence, you need to ensure that the container has a drainage hole to drain excess water. Keep the plant light and moist but never soggy. Soon you will see healthy new growth indicating that the cutting has successfully rooted.
Lighting
A string of bananas requires at least 6 hours of exposure to direct sunlight when grown indoors. Choose a location where it can receive enough sunlight. If this plant does not receive enough sunlight, it will become leggy. The banana-shaped leaves will grow fart apart from each other along the stem making it less look ugly.
Soil
When it comes to the soil requirement, you need to make sure that the roots do not rot. Choose a well-draining soil mix to keep the roots in good condition. You can purchase pre-mixed cactus or succulent soil in the market. Or you can make it at home. Simply mix 2 parts potting soil and 1 part perlite, 1 part pumice or sand. This mixture will provide your string of bananas with adequate drainage.
Water
As part of the string of bananas care instructions, you need to develop a watering technique. A string of bananas succulent doesn’t need much water to survive. There is no standard schedule for how often you should water. But one this is for sure, don’t water it t too much or the roots will die. When you water this plant, try to pour the water directly into the soil. Avoid wetting the leaves too much as they might wither from too much hydrogen.
Temperature and Humidity
Since the string of bananas is native to South Africa, it does well in a normal household temperature. Place it near the windows or balcony where it can receive direct sunlight. Keep proper humidity levels. Do not put it near air conditioning vents and drafty windows.
Even so, do not expose it to too much heat as it will destroy its growth.
Fertilizer
String bananas do not require regular fertilizing. Light feeding in spring may help with its growth. if you want to put some fertilizer, choose worm compost or fish emulsion. Liquid kelp also helps produce thick and healthy banana-shaped leaves.
Pest Control
A string of bananas is susceptible to aphids and mealybugs. Aphids and mealybugs are extremely tiny bugs that suck the sap of succulents. They weaken the plant and make them more prone to diseases.
They develop when there is too much moisture in plants. When you see tiny white groups of bugs that stick on the undersides of plants, you need to get rid of them instantly. These pets lay eggs and reproduce very fast. Your succulent can die in a few days when not treated.
To get rid of aphids mix water with dishwashing soap and spray directly on the infested area. Soapy water can kill aphids when applied every 2 to 3 days. Aphids and mealybugs are hardly seen because of their size. You need to check your strings of bananas from time to time for aphid growth.
Aphids and mealybugs are tricky pests. They are hard to see unless they have formed millions of bugs under your string of bananas leaves. You need to look very closely at the back of the leaves. If your string
How To Care For String Of Bananas Growing Outdoor
A string of bananas cares instructions can be very useful for first-time succulent moms.
So now that you know the basics of how to care for a string of bananas, let us go deeper into a growing string of bananas outdoors.
A string of bananas can be grown outdoors. Since they are not frost-tolerant you need to put them in regions with warm weather year-round. Plant them in containers to let them grow beautifully. A healthy and strong succulent can grow 3 to 6 inches in a pot. When grown outdoors, you need to water them at least 2 to 3 times a week. The key is to neither keep the soil consistently moist but not too much water nor leave it bone dry.
If you want to propagate your string of bananas, you can trim some of its steams. Then replant them in another container using the same soil mix. Consequently, follow the string of bananas cares instructions to grow a healthy succulent.
Potting and Repotting String of Bananas
A string of bananas doesn’t need to be root-bound and repotted regularly. However, some seasons are more conducive for repotting. Spring and summer are the best months to repot a string of bananas. This dry season gives the delicate roots time to receive during the active growing season.
These succulents are generally easier to repot than other hanging plants. Since their strings don’t fall off easily. Moreover, trimmed steams can easily grow roots making them available for repotting again.
The greatest reward of following a solid string of banana plant care is when you see white fluffy flowers on its long stems. Yes, a string of bananas can grow flowers.
Flowers for a string of bananas normally bloom during the winter. Shorter days and cooler evenings have a direct causal effect on floral growth.
Caring Your String Bananas Successfully
Growing string bananas is a stress-relieving activity. No wonder many succulent lovers want to grow these plants as well. New succulent owners should follow these steps to care for a string of bananas. Since these plants do not need a lot of attention, you should be able to grow a healthy and strong succulent.
We hope this String of bananas care instructions have helped you. Tune in for more tips.
Learn more about: How Big Can Succulents Grow?
