Senecio radicans - String of Bananas [large]

Highlights

String of Bananas or String of Fishhooks (now Curio radicans) (Heath): An all-star hanging plant. Its stems can hang over 3.0' long but in its native habitats through South Africa, Lesotho, and Namibia, C. radicans creeps along sandy, rocky soil, putting down roots wherever it can. This plant is fully rooted in a 3.5" round, plastic container.

String of Bananas makes a great trailing component in arrangements and provides a nice contrast to the more common rosette-shaped succulents. Its long stems are lined with banana-shaped leaves, each of which has a translucent crescent or "leaf window" to let sunlight into the leaf interior. It usually blooms between October and December with pompom-like clusters of tiny white flowers that smell like cinnamon.

C. radicans is a relatively fast grower if cared for properly. It can tolerate high heat and extended drought but not frost or full, outdoor sun. To prevent rot, use well-draining pots and soil and only water when the soil is dry. Reduce watering frequency even more in winter. To grow a long, full cascade of bananas, regularly prune the stems and replant the cuttings for easy stem propagation (more info). Make sure that all parts of the trailing mass get sunlight and, if possible, move the plant outdoors to a covered porch or patio in the summer.

Full Senecio Guide

Product Size

3.5" Pot

Current Primary Color

Green

Bloom Color

White Bloom

Grow Zone (Hardiness)

Zone 10 (30F)

Recommended Light Conditions

Bright Indoor Light, Filtered / Partial Sun

Maximum Height

Over 12"

Growth Habit / Shape

Hanging / Trailing

Seasonality

Blooms in Fall / Winter

Special Characteristic

Easy to Propagate, Fast Grower

THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+

10

WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?

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Popular Questions

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3 years ago

Are any of these Senecio plants safe for pets? See answer

I’m trying to find a trailing succulent for my home, and wondered if this plant is pet safe? I have dogs and cats. See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Some research shows that Senecio rowleyanus can cause digestive issues if consumed, so to be on the safe side, we do not consider any Senecio pet-safe. But we carry tons of Pet Safe Succulents here. You can also use the Growth Habit filter on the left to filter for just Hanging/Trailing plants.
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3 years ago

CAN YOU PLANT STRING OF BANANA AND STRING OF PEARLS TOGETHER See answer

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7 months ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes you can! Strings of Things Succulents have the same sun, water, and drainage needs, so they're very compatible together in a pot. They work well planted in a hanging pot with succulent potting soil, hanging in a sunny window. Water deeply enough for water to run out the pot's drainage hole, but only water after the soil is completely dry and the leaves are starting to look a little deflated. See full answer »

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3 years ago

The low indoor light varieties I'm looking at say to plant in a deep pot. How many inches is that? See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

If the plant comes in a 2" pot, I'd plant in a pot that's, at least 3.5" deep. However, I wouldn't plant it in a pot that's deeper than 5" to start. Haworthia like their roots to be a little tight so be sure not to over pot it at first. See full answer »

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1 year ago

Can you recommend indoor lighting? Full spectrum, grow spectrum? Any preferred brand? See answer

Zone 4/5 here. My succulents live indoors in the winter and need supplementary light to avoid stretching. Would love to know what artificial lights you use/recommend. Full spectrum (white), grow spectrum (blue/purple), other? Do you have a preferred brand of lighting? How many hours extra are needed for soft, hard, other, succulents? See more »

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes! You can find grow light specs and recommended types here on our Guide to Grow Lights for Succulents.
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2 years ago

We keep our home at 65° year round. The indoor succulents seem to struggle indoors but outside gets too hot See answer

We live in north central Arkansas. It gets brutally humid and hot during the late spring, summer, and early fall months. I have all my succulents on my west facing porch because the backyard belongs to our Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Would getting a porch shade be a good idea for the summer in late afternoon? All my succulents get the mid afternoon sun and I know it's too much for some of them but bringing them inside our too cool temp home doesn't help either. Even when I put them in an East facing window they still don't seem to do so well because of the indoor temp. See more »

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

The only issue with porch shades is that they're frequently too shady. If you erected some kind of shade using shade cloth designed for plants, that could help. You wouldn't need it to be too shady, roughly 30%-40% would do the trick.

However, 65°F isn't too cold for many succulents. Especially once the radiant heat from direct sunlight in an south facing window is factored in, that you wouldn't feel in the air. The issue may have more to do with humidity than temperature. Looking at the relative humidity predictions for Stone County (just as an example) it's suppose to get over 70% in the near future! This makes watering more tricky as plants don't dry out nearly as quickly as they should and rot can set in as a result.

If your house is less humid than it is outdoors, then moving them inside may do them more good than shade cloth outside. In fact, shade cloth may only further prolong drying and exacerbate the problem. See full answer »

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3 years ago

Which type of succulents will grow best in an east facing window in an all white room? See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Your best bet are low light succulents. They'll get some morning sun but no more. Click the link below to see all our low light succulents.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/expl... See full answer »

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4 years ago

What kind of soil should I use with succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Shop Succulent Soil Here

Succulents need grittier soil than other plants because they are adapted to dry conditions and store water in their leaves. Regular potting soil mixes stay damp for long periods of time, which can cause rot in succulents. Instead, use a sandy, well-draining soil so you can water thoroughly without leaving your succulent in standing water.

IN POTS…

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4 years ago

When should I plant my succulents after they arrive? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Our plants can be transplanted immediately upon arrival.
If you want to wait to transplant, they can remain in their original containers for up to a month. If the pots came in a plastic carrier tray, remove the pots from the carrier tray prior to the first watering.

Keep the plants indoors near a sunny window or outdoors under a roof (only if outdoor temperatures stay above your succulent's minimum hardiness temperature). Water only after the soil is fully dry by drenching from above with a faucet, hose, or watering can. Gently shake excess water from the leaves and allow containers to drain completely.

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4 years ago

Do I need to fertilize succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Fertilizing is not necessary, but it is a good option for succulent growers who want to encourage faster, larger growth. It can be used on mature plants with established roots. Only fertilize in the growing season (spring and summer for most varieties) to avoid weakening or burning dormant plants. Use a light touch and make 2-3 applications of low-Nitrogen, diluted fertilizer each year (N-P-K ratio around 5-10-10). You can find specially-formulated cactus / succulent fertilizers in most garden centers or go organic with compost tea or bone meal.

Example: Miracle-Gro Quick Start, diluted to half strength

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4 years ago

How to water succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Succulents need deep, infrequent watering, especially during their growing season and when they are young and establishing roots. Only water after the soil is completely dry and the plant feels less firm. Err on the side of underwatering. Watering too frequently is the most common way to kill succulents.

HOW TO WATER SUCCULENTS

• Drench from above using a faucet, hose, or watering can
• Do not mist with a spray bottle (the only exception is for Air Plants)
• Water until it drains from the container's drainage hole. If your container does not have a drainage hole (not recommended), use about 1/3 the volume of the container…

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