05 March 2024 , 14:42
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If your plants are in need of some 'TLC', this simple but clever hack is for you.
It can be difficult to keep houseplants happy and healthy. And green-fingered enthusiasts often seek out top tips to help keep them looking their very best. While there are a number of things you could try, for example reviving droopy lilies by putting them in a bathtub of water, this latest recommendation needs just two things - both of which you are highly likely to have in your home.
According to a short clip shared by cleaning company Purdy & Figg, all you need to revive your plants is a glass of water and a banana peel. Place the peel in the water overnight, and then drain the water the next morning over your plants to give them that 'extra boost of nutrients they need'.
Bananas are rich in potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, and this combination can stimulate and benefit your plant's growth. While some gardeners swear by it, there is currently no scientific evidence to prove that banana water actually contains enough potassium to make a difference for plants.
But the reasoning behind using banana water is sound: bananas contain a lot of potassium, which is an essential macronutrient that boosts plant growth, strengthens stems and helps plants better resist drought and pests, .
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Aster W. Green, author of Companion Planting in Raised Bed Gardens, notes that, at the very least, using banana water for plants is an "organic way to level up your watering game [and] get away from expensive synthetic fertilisers". And what makes this hack even better is that you can use banana water on any plant in your garden or houseplant collection.
While more research is needed to determine how effective banana water is, it certainly won't harm them. Extra potassium is particularly beneficial to fruiting and flowering plants, although all plants can benefit from a bit of added potassium.
If you're unsure which outdoor plants to use banana water on, think "tomatoes, peppers, roses, orchids, succulents, staghorn ferns, air plants and banana trees," according to Stephanie Stephenson, author of . It is important to note that though banana water does contain some important nutrients, it doesn't provide everything your plants need to grow.
Relying on banana water as your sole source of fertiliser may result in plants with stunted growth, yellowing leaves and other signs of nutritional deficiencies. To avoid this, use banana water in conjunction with other organic products, like compost or fertiliser.