Are you looking for a hanging succulent plant that is easy to maintain and cool as can be? Here are care and growing tips for the String Of Bananas houseplant.
Everyone seems to be madly in love with that wacky and wonderful succulent String Of Pearls, and rightfully so. Did you know there’s another adorable “string” succulent on the block?
This one is easier to keep alive and just as attractive as its close relative, in my humble opinion anyway. Let me introduce you to or reacquaint you with the String Of Bananas houseplant and how to grow it.
Tired of boring old potted plants? Looking to add a unique, eye-catching element to your home or office decor? A hanging banana plant is an innovative way to incorporate living greenery and vibrant tropical style. With proper care, these plants can thrive indoors or outdoors, producing lovely leaves, flowers, and maybe even fresh bananas.
Why Choose a Hanging Banana Plant?
Hanging banana plants provide many advantages over traditional potted varieties:
- Save floor space since they are suspended from the ceiling
- Allow for interactive and accessible plants within easy reach
- Provide a bold, sculptural statement with their large drooping leaves
- Add height, dimension, and a sense of the outdoors to indoor spaces
- Give a trendy, modern, urban jungle vibe with their tropical foliage
- Filter and purify the air while decorating it
- Produce edible bananas if grown to maturity while bearing flowers
- Are easy to maintain as hanging plants are at eye level
Prime Picks for Hanging Banana Plants
Several banana plant varieties are suitable for displaying in hanging baskets or planters Top choices include
-
Dwarf Cavendish – A compact variety that produces sweet bananas Grows to 6-8 feet tall
-
Dwarf Orinoco – Known for tolerance to cool temps and wind. Shorter variety at 5-7 feet maturity.
-
Lady Finger – Sweet, apple-flavored fruits. More cold hardy than other types. 8-10 feet tall.
-
Ice Cream – Variegated white and green leaves. Grows 5-7 feet tall indoors.
-
Abyssinian Banana – Striking burgundy colored leaves. Reaches 15 feet outdoors.
Consider the plant’s mature size when choosing which variety to hang. More compact dwarf cultivars are best for indoor display.
Displaying Hanging Banana Plants
Get creative with how you show off your hanging banana plant! Here are some inspiring ideas
-
Suspend above an entryway or staircase for a bold welcome statement
-
Flank sliding glass doors to bring the outdoors inside
-
Use in place of a room divider to define spaces with tropical flair
-
Hang in front of large bright windows as a natural sun filter
-
Cluster in threes down a hallway or above a kitchen island
-
Swag from hooks on the front porch or back patio for added privacy
-
Accent seating areas or reading nooks to enhance relaxation
Caring for Your Hanging Banana Plant
Though easygoing, banana plants do require some care to flourish in a hanging container:
-
Provide bright, indirect light or partial sun. Move plants outdoors in summer.
-
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water more frequently in summer heat.
-
Mist leaves often to maintain needed humidity levels.
-
Feed monthly during growth with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength.
-
Prune off dead leaves or yellowing foliage to keep plant attractive.
-
Monitor for pests like spider mites, scale, or mealybugs. Treat any issues promptly.
-
Repot every 2-3 years in spring, moving up just one pot size.
Encouraging Fruit Production
With proper care, hanging banana plants can produce edible fruits:
-
Choose a dwarf variety suited for container growing to limit size.
-
Allow the plant to reach maturity, which takes 10-15 months.
-
Provide bright light, heat, and humidity to nourish the plant.
-
Mist the flowers gently daily to help them set into fruits.
-
Stake and support the heavy bunches as they develop.
-
Harvest bananas when the clusters are plump, aromatic and begin to ripen.
Decorating with Hanging Banana Plants
The bold, tropical vibe of hanging banana plants pairs perfectly with these interior design styles:
-
Bohemian – Combine with woven hangers and rattan baskets for a free-spirited look.
-
Urban Jungle – Let large leafy plants contrast modern metal and glass elements.
-
Tropical – Accent with palms, pineapple prints and rattan furniture.
-
Midcentury Modern – Allow trailing leaves to soften sleek lines and retro shapes.
-
Industrial – Let vibrant greens juxtapose exposed brick, metal and wood.
A hanging banana plant is guaranteed to add that special something to any space needing a touch of the exotic tropics. Their cascading leaves and eventual fruit production make them fun statement pieces suited even for indoor environments. With a hanging banana plant, you can enjoy lush, living greenery and a piece of paradise right in your own home.
String Of Bananas Toxicity
I’m not 100% sure of this because String Of Bananas isn’t on the ASPCA list. Because they’re related to String Of Pearls which are considered toxic, I’d say this one is too.
If your pets are prone to chewing on plants, keep them out of their reach. It’s easy to do with this plant because you can hang it or place it on a bookcase or shelf. The puffy flowers of a String Of Bananas. Mine growing outdoors flowers every winter. They have a sweet, spicy fragrance.
String Of Bananas Soil
A high-quality succulent and cactus soil mix is best for this plant. You want the potting mix to be light and well-drained so the roots don’t rot.
I use this DIY Cactus and Succulent Mix Recipe that’s very chunky, so the water drains right through. It’s the same blend I use for my indoor and outdoor succulents.
Regular potting soil isn’t ideal, but you can use it in a pinch. You’ll want to up the ante on the drainage factor to lessen the chance of rot by adding some pumice or perlite.
Plant Bananas in Your Garden, Here’s What Happens
FAQ
How do you keep a banana plant happy?
How do you make a Hanging Garden?
Spruce up the exterior of your house and create a hanging garden! This hanging garden will add color and texture to a plain exterior. Use cascading plants and choose them according to the light they need. Over time, these plants will create more visual interest and grow draping like a curtain.
How to hang a plant on a wall?
Floating frames offer a creative way for you to hang plants. These frames attach to walls without the need to drill holes. They use strong adhesive strips or hooks. This protects your ceilings from damage. Choose a frame suited to the weight of your plant. Then, check the adhesive strength of your selected strip or hook.
How do you hang plants on a porch?
Complete your composition and hang some plant hangers widely spread on your porch. If you have lots of potted plants to display this will simply add height to your elevating display of plants. 10. A Hanging Wall
How do you hang plants on a ladder?
Ensure your ladder’s stability to safeguard your plants. For each plant, select a pot with an integrated hanging mechanism or add a hook to your pot. Hang plants on the ladder’s rungs, spacing them to allow each plant enough light and air. Smaller plants fit well on the higher rungs, with larger ones closer to the base.