Check Out Your Plant!


Congrats on your new CUTTING, I bet you’re wondering, “now how do I take care of this?”

FIRST THINGS FIRST, WHAT PLANT IS THIS?

You’re the proud new owner of a String of Bananas.

HOW DO I MAKE THIS THING ROOT?

One of the easiest ways to root String of Bananas. is in water. Place the stem of your cutting in a cup of water in front of a bright window and let nature do its thing. Within a few weeks, you should see new roots growing. String of Bananas. is a trailing succulent, so it has aerial roots growing along its stem. These are the little brown bumps you probably see on your cutting, and this is where the initial roots will grow from.

To keep your cutting happy, be sure to replace the water weekly, and don’t be afraid to rinse off the roots while you do it. This will help avoid root rot. If you’re feeling extra fancy (or impatient), look into rooting hormones. These are powders that you can dip your cutting in to speed up the propagation process.

SOUNDS GOOD, BUT WHAT’S NEXT?

Wait until the roots are about four inches long, then you can pot it up in some soil. You’re going to want to use a soil mix designed specifically for succulents to keep your cutting healthy. Be sure to choose an appropriately sized pot, if you pick something that’s too big your plant may become overwhelmed and stop growing, or you’ll tempt root rot with all the excess moisture the pot will be able to hold. I’d recommend either a three or four-inch pot to start.

OKAAAY, BUT WHAT DO I DO AFTER THAT?

Houseplant care comes down to three main factors; soil, water, and light. Since well-draining soil is already taken care of, let’s start with light.

LIGHT

String of Bananas is a succulent, so be sure to put it in a bright spot, they need plenty of light to survive! A south-facing window would be ideal as they get the most light. With any “string of ___” plant, if light isn’t hitting the top of the pot, the base of your plant is going to begin to die. Another sign that your plant may not be getting enough light is if the bananas decrease in size.

WATER

Factors such as pot size, amount of light and season all play a role in how thirsty your plant will be, so it’s difficult to make generalizations. Instead of saying “water once a week,” I’m going to suggest that you check in on your plant once a week. If you notice the bananas begin to shrivel, that is a good sign it’s time to check on your plant. The only way to truly tell if your plant is thirsty is to check the soil. Do this by sticking your finger into the pot up to your first knuckle. If it feels dry to that point, it’s usually time to give your friend a drink.

fun facts about your plant

  • String of Bananas can produce small, white flowers that smell like cinnamon!

  • String of Bananas are native to South Africa.

  • These plants store water in their leaves, and each leaf has a translucent strip that allows for more light to get in, increasing the surface area available for photosynthesis.

WARNINGS

Be sure to keep this plant out of reach from your furry friends, it’s toxic to both dogs and cats! For more information on this, check out the ASPCA website.