How to Get Your String of Bananas to Flower
Encourage a mature String of Bananas to bloom by adjusting its care to mimic a natural dormancy. Learn the subtle shifts that lead to fragrant, cinnamon-scented flowers.
The String of Bananas plant, or Curio radicans, is a popular succulent recognized for its cascading vines of banana-shaped leaves. It is a fast-growing plant native to South Africa that adds a unique texture to any indoor space. While many appreciate its trailing foliage, the plant can also produce small, fragrant flowers. Understanding the conditions that encourage this event can add another dimension to enjoying this houseplant.
What String of Bananas Flowers Look and Smell Like
The flowers of the String of Bananas plant are small and form in composite clusters. These delicate blooms are typically white to an off-white or pale pink color and have a shape often likened to tiny paintbrushes or daisies. They grow on thin stalks that emerge from the vine, creating a subtle but charming display against the green, crescent-shaped leaves.
A distinguishing feature of these blooms is their distinct fragrance. The scent is frequently compared to cinnamon or cloves, adding a warm, spicy aroma to the air. This aromatic quality is often most noticeable in the late fall or early winter, which is the typical blooming season for the plant.
How to Get a String of Bananas to Flower
Encouraging a String of Bananas to flower involves replicating the environmental cues of its native arid habitat in South Africa. Only mature plants possess the ability to bloom, so patience is required if your plant is still young.
The most significant factor in promoting blooms is providing sufficient light. Indoors, a String of Bananas needs at least six hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily. A location near a south- or west-facing window is often ideal, as not enough light will prevent the plant from having the energy to produce flowers.
Cooler temperatures and a period of dormancy are also necessary to trigger flowering. During the fall and winter, the plant benefits from a resting period where temperatures are kept cooler, ideally between 60°F and 80°F (15°C to 27°C). Protecting the plant from frost is important, as it is not frost-tolerant.
Watering frequency should be adjusted to support this dormancy period. In the fall and winter, water should be reduced significantly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. This mimics the dry season of its natural environment. Overwatering, especially during dormancy, can lead to root rot and will inhibit blooming.
When it comes to feeding, fertilizer should be used sparingly. A high-phosphorus, low-nitrogen formula is best, as phosphorus supports flower production. Apply a diluted fertilizer solution in the spring as the plant enters its active growing season to provide the nutrients needed for flowering.
Post-Flowering Plant Care
After the small, fragrant flowers have finished their display, the plant’s energy should be redirected back toward its foliage and roots. This is done by deadheading, which involves trimming the spent flower stalks off at their base. This process cleans up the plant’s appearance and prevents it from wasting energy on seed production.
Once the flowers are removed, you can guide the plant out of its winter dormancy and back into its active growing season. Gradually resume your normal watering schedule, ensuring the soil dries out between waterings. If you moved the plant to a cooler location for its dormancy, you can return it to its regular spot with bright, indirect light.