The String of Bananas plant, scientifically known as Senecio radicans or Curio radicans, is a popular succulent cherished for its distinctive trailing stems adorned with leaves resembling miniature bananas. This unique foliage makes it a favorite for hanging baskets, where its cascades can create a lush, appealing display. While many admire its characteristic leaves, this resilient plant also produces flowers that, though often subtle, signify a thriving and well-cared-for specimen. Understanding these blooms and the conditions that encourage them can deepen appreciation for this fascinating succulent.
Characteristics of String of Bananas Flowers
The flowers of the String of Bananas plant are typically small and present in white or off-white shades. They often appear in brush-like or pom-pom-like clusters, adding a delicate touch to the plant’s trailing form. These blooms commonly emerge at the tips of the stems or within the leaf axils, nestled among the banana-shaped foliage.
A notable feature of these flowers is their distinctive fragrance, frequently described as a sweet, spicy, or cinnamon-like scent. While the blooms might not be as visually striking as the plant’s unique leaves, their presence indicates a healthy, mature plant. They can bloom primarily in the fall and early winter, though some sources also note spring as a bloom time.
Encouraging Your Plant to Bloom
To encourage your String of Bananas plant to produce its charming flowers, providing specific environmental conditions and consistent care is important. These succulents, originating from South Africa, thrive when their care mimics their native arid environments.
Bright, indirect light is essential for String of Bananas plants to flourish and initiate flowering. While they can tolerate some direct morning sun, intense afternoon sunlight can scorch their leaves, hindering overall plant health and bloom production. If grown indoors, a south or west-facing window with filtered light, or a location offering at least six hours of bright light daily, is ideal.
Proper watering is also important for these drought-tolerant succulents, which store water in their fleshy leaves. It is crucial to allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot, which can severely impede flowering. During the active growing season (spring and summer), watering every one to two weeks is typical, reducing frequency significantly to about once a month during the cooler, dormant winter months.
Temperature and a period of dormancy contribute to bloom initiation. String of Bananas prefers temperatures between 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C) during its active growth. To encourage flowering, mature plants benefit from a cooler, drier dormant period, typically during winter, where temperatures might drop to around 50°F (10°C). This cooler period signals to the plant that it is time to prepare for spring or late-season blooming.
Nutrient supplementation can support flowering, though String of Bananas is not a heavy feeder. A diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer can be applied monthly or every four to six weeks during the spring and summer growing season. Withhold fertilizer entirely during the plant’s dormant winter phase. Only mature plants generally produce flowers.
After the Bloom Cycle
After the delicate flowers of your String of Bananas plant fade, it enters a natural post-bloom phase. The small, brush-like blooms will dry and wither, sometimes forming seed pods. These pods, though not always prominent indoors, contain tiny seeds for propagation.
After flowering, you can deadhead spent blooms. Removing faded flowers redirects energy from seed production to foliage growth, encouraging a tidier appearance. Alternatively, allow dried flowers to fall naturally, as the plant’s growth cycle continues regardless.