String of Bananas

String of Bananas: The Fun Trailing Succulent

If String of Pearls has ever broken your heart with its fussiness, meet its easier, faster-growing cousin. String of Bananas produces plump, banana-shaped leaves on long, trailing stems that grow with enthusiasm.

Easier Than String of Pearls

While String of Pearls demands perfect watering precision, String of Bananas is far more forgiving. It tolerates a wider range of conditions, grows faster, and is much less likely to suddenly turn to mush. It's the trailing succulent for the rest of us.

Stunning in Hanging Baskets

Trails can reach 3 feet or more, creating a beautiful green waterfall effect from a hanging basket or high shelf. The banana-shaped leaves catch light at different angles, creating a playful, dimensional display.

Fast & Generous Grower

This plant grows quickly and propagates with absurd ease. A single stem cutting can root and produce a full plant within months. It's the gift that keeps on giving — literally.

Water only when soil is completely dry — every 10-14 days in summer, monthly in winter. The banana-shaped leaves store water, making this plant drought-tolerant. Always water the soil directly, not the foliage, to prevent rot.

Tip: Wrinkled bananas mean it's thirsty. Mushy bananas mean too much water.

Bright indirect light to partial direct morning sun. At least 4-6 hours of bright light daily keeps growth compact and healthy. Too little light causes sparse, leggy growth. Avoid intense afternoon sun which can scorch the leaves.

Cactus and succulent mix is perfect. Add extra perlite for improved drainage. A gritty, fast-draining mix prevents the root rot that trailing succulents are prone to. Never use heavy potting soil alone.

Feed once a month during spring and summer with a diluted succulent fertilizer. A balanced liquid fertilizer at quarter strength works well. No feeding in fall and winter. Over-fertilizing causes weak, leggy growth.

Ridiculously easy to propagate. Lay stem cuttings on top of moist soil and they root at the nodes within 1-2 weeks. You can also coil cuttings around the base of the mother plant to fill in sparse spots. Even fallen leaves can root.

Repot every 2 years or when the pot becomes overcrowded. Use a shallow, wide pot with drainage holes. Be gentle with the delicate trailing stems during repotting. Spring is the best time.

Mushy stems: Overwatering or poor drainage — the number one killer.
Shriveled leaves: Underwatering — give a thorough drink.
Sparse growth: Not enough light — move to a brighter spot.
Brown, dry tips: Sunburn from direct afternoon sun — filter the light.