Easy to propagate
Easy to care for
Originates
South Africa but like our other trailing succulents has started to make itself at home across the UK.
Overview
This succulent takes its name from having bananas shaped leaves. A quick-growing house plant that like the String of Pearls adds interest to any home. What you will find with this variety is that the banana-shaped leaves are varying sizes, whereas on the String of Pearls they are more consistent in size. The purple haze variety has a purple vine.
Position
Your String of Bananas will be happiest in a sunny window, in a pot where the plant’s growth next to the soil can absorb daylight at all times. With its trailing leaves you may find it best placed on a shelf or in a pot designed with a raised stand to protect and display the new growth. When handling your plant gardening gloves are recommended.
Watering
As with other succulents String of Bananas actually thrive with less watering. To avoid over-watering make sure the soil around the roots is completely dry first. This plant holds its moisture within the tear-shaped leaves, so you will be able to see when water is required. Across the Winter you may find your plant needs watering only once a month.
How to make plant fuller
The String of Bananas is the easiest plant at Hearts and Pearls to propagate. To make your plant appear fuller take a leaf from the end of your plant and place it directly back into the soil. This process will encourage new shoots to form within a matter of weeks. This is a useful way to make your plant appear fuller, but also because the average lifespan is around five years, so with regular propagation you will be able to extend the life of your plant. Don’t worry if a banana-shaped leaf falls off, this can be re-planted – just squeeze it open to encourage new roots to form in the soil.
Repotting
You will know when your String of Bananas requires a new pot or refreshed soil, as it may stop growing, look weaker or less healthy than the previous season. A peat-free cactus or succulent mix is recommended to encourage the right level of drainage for this succulent.
Recent blog posts
“Let’s go bananas”
