Contrary to its name, string of bananas (Curio radicans) is a succulent vine plant with leaves that resemble bananas instead of a fruit. This South African native plant belongs to the Asteraceae family and has tiny, white flowers that open in the first few weeks of spring.
Watering
Although it’s difficult to pinpoint precisely because so many variables are at play (you can see what I mean in houseplant watering 101), every two to three weeks is a fair range. You should fully water your String of Bananas, let them dry, and then water them again.
Avoid keeping it consistently wet, but also avoid letting it become excessively dry. This one is susceptible to root rot, just like all succulents.
Are bananas on a string toxic?
This succulent is poisonous to cats, dogs, and people even though it is not lethal. Your pet may develop skin rashes and irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea if they consume part of this plant. Keep your String of Bananas away from children and pets, and get medical attention if you consume any.
Can bananas on a string survive in the sun?
Regardless of whether you keep your String of Bananas plants indoors or outside, they will thrive in a location that gets direct sunlight in the morning and late in the day. It’s typically advisable to avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day.
The string of bananas can be planted outdoors in succulent gardens, but they need areas with warm weather all year round because they are not frost-tolerant. In the warm regions of USDA plant hardiness zones 10 through 12, the string of bananas can be grown outside.
But if you live somewhere cooler, you can grow a string of bananas inside. We advise choosing a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight each day. If necessary, the banana string does well with grow lights.
There are numerous benefits to growing string of bananas inside, which we will examine below:
control growth
Growing your String of Bananas inside might assist regulate growth by limiting the plant’s growth if you have limited room or only want a little plant. Indoor plant growth is slower than outside plant growth for a variety of reasons, including lighting. In addition to saving space and aiding in growth management, keeping your plants indoors in small pots or containers can also be an affordable option to reduce the frequency of repotting.
shielded from the elements
The banana string is not cold-resistant and cannot stand even a light frost. In the winter, when the temperature goes below freezing, these succulents cannot thrive outside. Make sure to prevent freezing to the String of Bananas. By keeping them indoors, you can avoid the hassle of bringing them inside for the winter.
Visual Reward
A environment will look better with your string of banana plants nearby, which will also affect your happiness and mood. The string of banana plants are lovely ornamental plants that can enliven a space or complement the design of your home.
Defending against animals
You don’t have to be concerned about small animals nibbling on your plant’s leaves or, in certain situations, deer eating your plants, aside from bugs infecting your String of Bananas plant. They won’t be stomped on, hurt, or devoured by hairy animals if they are kept indoors.
Animal Control
Although more shielded from outside factors that naturally harbor these pests or insects, banana plants can also become infested with bugs. Your indoor plant may acquire pests from an infected plant or soil medium. Healthy indoor plants are typically less vulnerable to common pests or insects that attack plants.
Indoor Light Needs
If you keep your string of bananas indoors, make sure there is plenty of light. In order to thrive, String of Bananas generally requires 5 to 6 hours of sunlight per day. When growing inside, the plants need lots of light. You will require more light if you are in an area with less sunlight. Consider adding artificial light if your home lighting is subpar or you don’t get enough natural light.
If your area doesn’t get enough sunshine or you have long, dark winters, grow lights can be useful. You could occasionally let your plant outside so it can enjoy the sunlight. If your plant’s leaves are dispersed, it is not getting enough light, and if the tips of the leaves are brown, it is receiving too much direct sunlight.
Indoor Plant Location and Sunlight
Place the bananas on a string close to a window that receives plenty of sunlight indoors. Every three to six months, you’ll need to rotate it if it isn’t getting light from all directions.
If you are in the Northern hemisphere, a sunny southern window is effective. In a room with a south-facing window, keep the potted string of banana plants a few feet away from the window. Direct sunlight, especially in the summer, can burn the fleshy leaves if they are kept next to a window. If you reside in the Southern hemisphere, this plant will thrive at a window with a Northern exposure.
Another ideal window is one that faces east. Despite being in a bright area, it is away from the harsh noon sun. It won’t be best to have windows that receive no direct sunshine. Your plant will continue to develop, albeit at a much slower rate, however the new growth might be little. Additionally, the leaves will be smaller and thinner.
Outdoor Sunlight Needs
The string of bananas plants benefit from a lot of direct sunlight, but they also need to be shielded from extreme heat. They thrive in containers shadowed by other taller plants or bright but slightly shady places.
Instead of the more extreme afternoon heat, the plants can handle brilliant morning sun and afternoon shade. The leaves will burn in direct sunlight. The banana string can withstand heat up to 110 degrees.
If the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), it is preferable to move the plant inside. Additionally, bring your plant indoors for the winter if you live anywhere where the temperature drops below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to provide it with an hour or two of direct sunshine every day after autumn arrives to help it through the dormant season, which lasts until the following spring.
In moderate areas, you can cultivate a string of banana plants outdoors all year round. Grow bananas outdoors in locations that get morning sun, midday shade, and brilliant, indirect light the rest of the day.
In more suitable regions, it is a summer annual and makes a wonderful “spiller in a low-water container combo. In hot, inland places, pick a spot in bright shade, such as a porch or the canopy of a tree. This low-maintenance succulent perishes from a lack of light.