Asteraceae
How to Care for String of Bananas (Curio radicans)
Curio radicans
String of Bananas is an easy-care trailing succulent that thrives in bright indirect to direct light. Water sparingly â allow soil to dry completely between waterings. Use well-draining cactus/succulent mix. Avoid overwatering, which is the most common cause of death. Keep away from pets and children as it is mildly toxic.
Every 14 days
Bright indirect
10° - 32°C
30% - 50%
Categories
What is String of Bananas?
String of Bananas (Curio radicans) is a easy-care plant from the Asteraceae family. Curio radicans, commonly known as String of Bananas (syn. Senecio radicans), is a trailing succulent native to South Africa. Its distinctive banana-shaped leaves hang in long cascading strands, making it one of the most popular hanging basket succulents. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, it produc...
String of Bananas grows up to 90cm, with spread of 60cm, watering every 14 days, 10°C â 32°C, 30â50% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, String of Bananas tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 28 days.
How to Care for String of Bananas?
TLDR: String of Bananas needs Bright indirect, watering every 14 days, and temperatures between 10-32°C with 30-50% humidity.
How Often Should You Water String of Bananas?
Water every 10â14 days in the growing season (spring/summer), reducing to once a month in winter. Always allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Water deeply until it drains from the bottom, then discard any excess.
How Much Light Does String of Bananas Need?
Provide bright indirect light or a few hours of direct morning sun. A south- or east-facing window is ideal. Inadequate light causes sparse, weak foliage. Avoid intense afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves.
What Is the Best Soil for String of Bananas?
Use a fast-draining cactus or succulent potting mix. Amend with perlite or coarse sand (up to 50%) for extra drainage. Never use heavy, water-retentive soils. Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0â7.5).
What Pot Should You Use for String of Bananas?
Hanging basket or trailing pot with good drainage holes. Terracotta pots are excellent for succulents as they allow soil to dry out faster. Avoid pots without drainage.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 90 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is String of Bananas and Where Does It Come From?
Curio radicans, commonly known as String of Bananas (syn. Senecio radicans), is a trailing succulent native to South Africa. Its distinctive banana-shaped leaves hang in long cascading strands, making it one of the most popular hanging basket succulents. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, it produces small white or pale yellow daisy-like flowers in winter and spring.
How to Propagate String of Bananas?
Stem Cutting
Use clean scissors. Cuttings root easily in water or soil. Change water weekly if rooting in water.
- 1 Cut a healthy strand of 4â6 inches with several leaves
- 2 Allow the cut end to callous for 1â2 days
- 3 Place in dry succulent mix or in a glass of water
- 4 Keep in bright indirect light and water sparingly
- 5 Roots will appear in 2â4 weeks
Materials needed:
Water Propagation
This method allows you to monitor root development easily.
- 1 Cut a healthy strand with several leaves
- 2 Remove leaves from the bottom 2 inches
- 3 Place the stem in a glass of water, keeping leaves above water
- 4 Place in bright indirect light
- 5 Change water weekly until roots develop 1â2 inches
- 6 Transfer to succulent mix
Materials needed:
How Big Does String of Bananas Grow?
TLDR: String of Bananas can reach up to 90cm tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
90cm
Spread
60cm
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect String of Bananas?
TLDR: String of Bananas is susceptible to 5 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.
Fun Facts
It was reclassified from Senecio radicans to Curio radicans in 2001 after molecular phylogenetic studies.
In its native South Africa, it grows as a ground cover in rocky, arid habitats.
The banana-shaped leaves store water, allowing the plant to survive long dry periods.
It can trail up to 90 cm (3 feet) long, making it a stunning choice for tall shelves or hanging baskets.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water String of Bananas?
Is String of Bananas toxic to cats and dogs?
Why are my String of Bananas shriveling?
Can I grow String of Bananas indoors?
What is the difference between Curio radicans and Senecio radicans?
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