Getting a string of bananas plant to produce fruit that is perfectly ripe and sweet is a true gardener’s joy. This guide will show you exactly how to care for your plant to achieve that goal.
It’s a beautiful and unique succulent, known for its cascading tendrils of banana-shaped leaves. While it’s often grown for its foliage, with the right conditions, it can surprise you with small, fragrant flowers and even fruit. The path to a sweet harvest is all about mimicking its natural, arid habitat.
String of Bananas – Perfectly Ripe and Sweet
Seeing those tiny banana-like fruits develop and sweeten is the ultimate reward. This isn’t a typical fruit plant, and its needs are specific. Perfect ripeness comes from a combination of light, a careful watering hand, and a lot of patience. Let’s break down what your plant needs at every stage.
The Right Foundation: Planting for Success
Everything starts with how and where you plant your string of bananas. A poor setup makes it nearly impossible to reach that sweet, ripe finish line.
Choose a container with excellent drainage holes. A shallow, wide pot is often better than a deep one, as the roots are relatively shallow. Terracotta pots are a great choice because they allow the soil to dry out more quickly.
The soil mix is critical. You need a fast-draining, gritty mix designed for succulents and cacti. A standard potting soil will hold too much moisture and lead to root rot.
- You can buy a pre-mixed cactus soil.
- Or, make your own with two parts potting soil, one part coarse sand, and one part perlite or pumice.
Sunlight: The Sweetness Engine
Light is the most important factor for a string of bananas to fruit and for those fruits to develop sweetness. Without enough light, the plant will grow leggy and weak, and fruit will be unlikely.
Aim for bright, indirect light for most of the day. An east or west-facing window is often ideal. Some direct morning sun is beneficial, but intense afternoon sun can scorch the leaves.
If you’re growing outdoors, partial shade is key. Acclimate it slowly to prevent sunburn. In lower light conditions, the plant will survive but won’t thrive or produce fruit.
Watering Wisely: The Delicate Balance
This is where most gardeners go wrong. Overwatering is the fastest way to kill your plant and ruin any chance of fruit. Underwatering stresses the plant, making it conserve resources instead of using them to flower and fruit.
The “soak and dry” method is the gold standard. Here’s how to do it:
- Water the plant thoroughly until water runs freely from the drainage holes.
- Then, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
- Stick your finger into the top inch or two of soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
In the summer, this might be every 7-10 days. In the winter, when the plant is dormant, it might only need water once a month or less. The plumpness of the leaves is a good indicator; if they start to look a bit shriveled, it’s thirsty.
Feeding for Flowers and Fruit
Fertilizing gives your plant the nutrients it needs to support the energy-intensive process of flowering and fruiting. But more is not better.
Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. A formula like 10-10-10 or one slightly higher in phosphorus (the middle number) can encourage blooming.
- Feed only during the active growing season (spring and summer).
- Fertilize once a month at most.
- Do not fertilize in the fall and winter.
Over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen formulas, will cause lots of leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Temperature and Humidity Preferences
String of bananas plants prefer warm, dry conditions similar to their native South Africa. They are not frost-tolerant at all.
Ideal temperatures are between 70°F and 80°F (21°C – 27°C) during the growing season. They can tolerate down to about 50°F (10°C) in the winter. Avoid placing them near cold drafts or heating vents, as sudden temperature changes are stressful.
Average household humidity is just fine. They do not need extra humidity, and high humidity can increase the risk of fungal issues, especially if air circulation is poor.
Encouraging Blooms and Fruit Set
Sometimes, a plant needs a little nudge to start flowering. The flowers are small, white, and cinnamon-scented, and they must appear before fruit can develop.
Ensuring a slight temperature drop at night during the growing season can simulate natural conditions and trigger blooming. A difference of 10-15 degrees between day and night is helpful.
Make sure your plant is slightly pot-bound. A plant that is too comfortable in a large pot will focus on root growth rather than flowering. Also, continue to provide excellent light as the days lengthen in spring.
The Waiting Game: Ripening on the Vine
If flowers are pollinated, small, banana-shaped fruits will begin to form. This is where patience is essential. The fruits will be green and hard at first.
They need time on the plant to ripen fully. Continue your normal care routine—bright light, careful watering, and no fertilizer in the late stages. The fruits will slowly change color and soften slightly when they are nearing ripeness.
You can gently squeeze a fruit; it should have a slight give, similar to a ripe fig. The skin may also develop a more translucent appearance. This is when they are at their peak sweetness.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even with perfect care, issues can arise. Catching them early is key to saving your plant and its potential fruit.
Yellowing or Mushy Leaves
This is almost always a sign of overwatering. Stop watering immediately. Check the roots for rot (black and mushy). If rot is present, cut away all affected parts, let the healthy stems callous over for a day, and then replant in fresh, dry soil.
Dry, Shriveled Leaves
This indicates underwatering or soil that repels water. If the soil is bone dry and hard, give the pot a thorough soak. Sometimes, old peat-based soil becomes hydrophobic; repotting into fresh mix may be necessary.
Leggy Growth with Large Gaps
This means the plant is not getting enough light. Gradually move it to a brighter location. You can also prune the leggy stems to encourage bushier growth from the base.
Pests
Mealybugs and aphids can sometimes be a problem. Look for white cottony masses or small green insects.
- Isolate the affected plant.
- Wipe pests off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- For larger infestations, use an insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.
Propagation for More Sweetness
Once you have a healthy plant, you can easily create more. The best time to propagate is in the spring or summer.
- Take a cutting that is at least 3-4 inches long, with a few “bananas” on it.
- Let the cut end dry and callous over for 24 hours.
- Lay the cutting on top of moist succulent soil, or bury the calloused end just slightly.
- Place in bright, indirect light and mist the soil lightly when it dries out.
- Roots should develop in a few weeks. Once you feel resistance on a gentle tug, you can begin normal care.
FAQ
Is the fruit from a string of bananas plant edible?
While not toxic, the fruit is generally considered not palatable for humans. It’s very small and mostly seed. The joy is in growing it to that perfect ripe state, not in eating it.
How long does it take for the fruit to become ripe?
It can take several weeks to a couple of months after the flower fades for the fruit to fully ripen. The timeline depends heavily on light and temperature conditions.
My plant has never flowered. What am I doing wrong?
The most common reasons are insufficient light, over-fertilizing with nitrogen, or the plant being too young. Ensure it gets plenty of bright light and experiences a slight drop in temperature at night.
Can I grow string of bananas indoors?
Absolutely. It makes a excellent indoor hanging plant. Just place it in the brightest window you have, and be extra careful not to overwater.
Why are the bananas on my plant falling off?
Sudden leaf drop is often a sign of stress. This could be from a drastic change in temperature, overwatering, or underwatering. Check your care routine and environment for recent changes.
Growing a string of bananas to a state where it fruits and those fruits become perfectly ripe and sweet is a test of your succulent-growing skills. It requires attention to detail, especially with light and water. But the sight of those tiny, sweet fruits makes the careful effort worthwhile. Remember, mimic its natural home, be patient, and your cascading vine will reward you with its unique and special harvest.