How to grow the succulent "Big String of Bananas"? Cultivation methods and precautions

Common names of Big String of Bananas

Common names of Big String of Bananas: Jingtongzi, Hailixiannianju

Habits of Big String of Bananas

Big String of Bananas belongs to the genus Senecio in the Asteraceae family and is native to Africa. It grows best at a temperature of 15~22°C, and spring and autumn are its vigorous growth periods.

It likes a warm, dry environment with plenty of sunlight, tolerates partial shade and drought, dislikes muggy and humid conditions, and is not cold-hardy.

Home care often uses cuttings for propagation. Common pests and diseases include: powdery mildew and root rot

Care tips for Big String of Bananas

Repotting: repot once every 3~4 years1 time, in spring. Use a mixed soil of leaf mold or peat soil and coarse sand.

Watering: keep the soil slightly moist during the growing period. In summer it enters a semi-dormant state, so strictly control water, and it is better to keep it dry than wet.

Fertilizing: fertilize once a month, and never let the fertilizer liquid stain the fleshy leaves. When air humidity is too high and ventilation is poor, powdery mildew and root rot are likely to occur.

Light and temperature: full sun. If light is insufficient during the growing period each year, the plant tends to become leggy, and the stems turn tender green and fragile. In contrast, plants grown in a sunny spot have thick, sturdy forms and plump leaves.

Propagation methods for Big String of Bananas

Cuttings: best done in spring and autumn. Cut off plump, healthy stem sections and lay them flat on a sand bed, keeping the room temperature at 15~22°C. After planting, 10~15 days later, roots grow from the stem nodes, then new leaves appear, and they can be potted up.

Suggested planting combinations: Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop', Silver Star

Note: never water too much in summer, otherwise it is very easy for the roots to rot and the plant to die.