Delosperma Hotcakes ‘Banana Blast’ is a beautiful flowering succulent that can be grown in many climates. It’s named for its bright yellow flowers.
This article covers all the important bits you need to know about Delosperma Hotcakes ‘Banana Blast’, including how to care for it and some tips on how to grow this plant in your home.
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About Delosperma Hotcakes ‘Banana Blast’
Delosperma Hotcakes ‘Banana Blast’ is a rare succulent that grows well in dry conditions and heat. It has an upright shape and dark green leaves with a touch of lighter green on the bottom.
This perennial succulent grows in dense, low-growing clumps and has round, thick, and bright green leaves with a silver-green center. The flowers are uniformly yellow with a sunny disposition.
It grows well in full sun and has bright yellow flowers that bloom from summer through fall.
Delosperma Hotcakes ‘Banana Blast’ Care
This plant is very popular among gardeners because of its beauty, fragrance, and ability to survive in harsh environments.
Light
The Delosperma Hotcakes ‘Banana Blast’ is a succulent plant that requires medium to high light levels to thrive. While it can tolerate low light levels, it will grow more slowly and have fewer flowers than if it were placed in brighter light. The best place for this plant is in a south-facing window that receives a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day.
Soil
The soil should be well-drained and mildly acidic. You can add organic matter to the soil to help improve drainage and pH balance. The soil should be sandy or rocky with a little bit of clay mixed in for added nutrients. The best way to amend these soils is by adding compost or manure as needed every summer before planting new plants.
Water
Water your plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil has dried out. Only water when needed and avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot. Avoid watering during hot weather or if rain is forecasted within 24 hours of watering because this may cause the plant to rot.
Temperature
It can tolerate temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit but prefers temperatures kept between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity
These plants prefer lower humidity, but you should try to keep the relative humidity above 30 percent to prevent any problems from occurring down the road.
Fertilizer
The amount of fertilizer required depends on the type used and the size of the plant but generally speaking; it should be applied once in spring and once in summer when the plant is actively growing.
Use all-purpose, balanced fertilizer for the best results.
Pruning
The proper way to prune this plant is to cut back the stems that are dead or dying. Since this plant is a succulent, it will easily grow back from the cuts. The plants can also be propagated by cutting and rooting them, making it easy to grow more plants from a single one.
Pruning can be done year-round, but late winter or early spring are the best times for this plant because it’s dormant during those seasons. Pruning should be done after all danger of frost has passed.
Potting and Repotting Delosperma Hotcakes ‘Banana Blast’
Repot your plant when there is no more room for roots to grow, usually when the root ball fills up about three-quarters of the pot. This may be after 1 year or as long as 4 years, depending on how fast your plant grows and how much fertilizer it receives.
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Remove the plant from its container, and set it on a towel.
- Cut away any dead roots with a sharp knife or pruning shears.
- Fill the new container with fresh well-draining potting soil, filling it up halfway and gently pressing down to remove any air pockets.
- Plant the rootball in the new pot and water well.
Propagating Delosperma Hotcakes ‘Banana Blast’ (Step-by-Step)
- Take the cutting from a healthy plant at the end of summer, when the weather is warm and dry.
- Make your cuttings about 3 inches long, with at least one node on each cutting.
- Dip your cuttings in rooting hormone powder before planting them in pots filled with potting soil.
- Place your pot inside a plastic bag and leave it there until new growth emerges from the bottom portion of each cutting (up to 10 days).
- Once new growth emerges, remove the plastic bag and water your cuttings.
- Grow them in a sunny location until they are ready to be planted outside.
Blooms
The flowers of Delosperma Hotcakes ‘Banana Blast’ are a bright yellow with a white center. They bloom from spring to fall, and they can be used as a cut flowers or dried for later use.
Toxicity
Delosperma Hotcakes ‘Banana Blast’ is not toxic to humans or animals.
NOTE: This page is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. The toxicity of an ingested substance varies depending on the amount ingested, the animal’s weight, and its sensitivity to specific allergens. Contact your veterinarian or local animal poison control center immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance.
Common Pests
Aphids
Aphids are tiny insects that suck the life out of your plants by eating them from the inside. They leave behind a sticky substance that attracts ants.
Mealybugs
These small insects are covered in white or gray cottony wax secretions, making them appear larger than they actually are. You may see them on the underside of leaves or stems, where they suck out sap from the plant’s tissue.
Spider Mites
These tiny arachnids spin fine webs around themselves, which makes them hard to see at first glance, but if you look closely at their webs, you will be able to see tiny black dots moving around near their home base (which is usually located on one side of the leaf). If left unchecked, these pests can cause yellowing leaves and overall poor health in your plant!
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy
