Question
QUESTION: i just bought a 6 foot, beautiful, leafy banana leaf plant.  i had the store repot
it in a large pot and place it in a corner of my house next to a sunny south
facing window.  it gets sun, but not direct.  since it is very tall, its tallest
leaves touch the ceiling.  

since i got it, it seems like its leaves have begun to droop (every so slowly).  
they are not drying out, however, they are bending downward more vs. the
way they looked when the plant was first delievered.  (one even bent and is
facing directly down)

i am not quite sure how to water it.  right now, the dirt has remained moist,
but not wet.  

why are the leaves begining to fall?  is it the lighting (too little?) or the water
(too little or too much).  

i love the plant and would appreciate any advice you can give me to allow this
luscious plant to grow in my home.  

your expertience and knowledge are much appreciated!

annette

ANSWER: Hi Annette,

I suspect that your plant is not a banana plant, but a white bird of paradise. I say this because of its height, although I cannot be sure without seeing a photo.

There are a a couple of problems here. First, it is too big for the space. An indoor plant should not be taller than about a foot below the top of the nearest window. The light above a window is extremely low, so the taller leaves do not receive enough light. This will only get worse because this type of plant only grows taller as it gets new leaves only on top.

A south window provides lots of good light, but a plant off to the side and in a corner does not receive enough of that good light.

Repotting into a larger pot was not a good idea. The excess soil in that large pot is keeping the roots too moist. You should remove any soil that was added at the top of the rootball. Then do not water the plant until the top inch of soil becomes dry to the touch.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.
         
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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: would it help or hurt if i cut the tallest leaf/stems off of the plant?  especially
the ones touching the ceiling?

Answer
Hi Annette,

You can prune off any of the leaf stems EXCEPT for the newest one that has the growing tip. If you cut that off, there will be no new growth and the plant will gradually die.

Otherwise, pruning off leaf stems will not damage the plant - it will only alter its appearance.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.
         
Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC