What to Know About Growing String of Bananas Plant
This quirky, trailing succulent is easy to grow on a bright windowsill or out of a hanging basket
Call it string of bananas or fishhook senecio; either way, Senecio radicans is aptly named for its braid-like hanging tendrils of small, curved fleshy leaves. Grow it in a bright spot as a houseplant where it can cascade down a bookshelf or dangle from a hanging macrame planter.
In mild climates you can grow a string of bananas plant outdoors year-round. In cooler areas grow it as a summer annual, where it makes an excellent “spiller” in a low-water container combination. Too much moisture and not enough light is the death of this otherwise easy-care succulent. Here’s how to set these quirky South African succulents up to thrive.
Caution: Senecio radicans and other plants in the Senecio genus are toxic to pets if eaten.
In mild climates you can grow a string of bananas plant outdoors year-round. In cooler areas grow it as a summer annual, where it makes an excellent “spiller” in a low-water container combination. Too much moisture and not enough light is the death of this otherwise easy-care succulent. Here’s how to set these quirky South African succulents up to thrive.
Caution: Senecio radicans and other plants in the Senecio genus are toxic to pets if eaten.
Where to put it. Indoors, Senecio radicans grows best in an area that receives consistently bright, indirect sunlight, such as a spot near a south- or west-facing window. Direct sunlight, particularly in summer, can cause the fleshy leaves to burn.
In mild climates, grow string of bananas outdoors in areas that receive morning sun, shelter from midday sun and bright, indirect light the rest of the day. In hot, inland areas, choose a spot in bright shade, like under a tree canopy or porch.
In mild climates, grow string of bananas outdoors in areas that receive morning sun, shelter from midday sun and bright, indirect light the rest of the day. In hot, inland areas, choose a spot in bright shade, like under a tree canopy or porch.
How to use it. Indoors, showcase the string of bananas’ braided texture and trailing form by placing potted plants high on bookshelves or cabinets, or hang macrame planters from the ceiling. If plants are happy, the tendrils can reach 6 or more feet long, so be sure to give them plenty of vertical space to trail.
Outside, plant string of bananas in hanging baskets or add to potted combinations of other low-water succulents, positioning the plant toward the edge of a planter where it can spill over the side. In mild regions, where Senecio radicans can grow outside all year, it can also be used as a ground cover, but its tender leaves cannot tolerate foot traffic.
Why we love it. Grouped with other houseplants or as a part of an outdoor container planting, string of bananas adds contrast through form and texture. It’s a plant that stays relatively small (only 6 to 12 inches across) but makes a real impact with its dramatic ropes of foliage. From across a room or patio, you’ll see the funky cascading form. Up close, you can appreciate that each fleshy banana-shaped leaf has translucent stripes that run from the leaf’s base to its tip.
Care tips. String of bananas are easy to grow, both as houseplants or outdoors. Pot up plants with well-draining cactus and succulent mix in containers that have a drainage hole.
Like most succulents, they can’t stand sitting in soggy soil, so it’s best to err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering, particularly in winter. Plan on watering about once a week in spring and summer, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Cut back on water in fall and winter when plants go dormant.
Like most succulents, they can’t stand sitting in soggy soil, so it’s best to err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering, particularly in winter. Plan on watering about once a week in spring and summer, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Cut back on water in fall and winter when plants go dormant.
Native to South Africa’s Cape Province and other areas, string of bananas is well adapted to both arid environments and tropical climates with more humidity. If you’re growing string of bananas in a tropical climate — or a high humidity area like a shower — dial back on water and allow soil to dry out between waterings. Roots can be prone to rot in soil with too much moisture.
How to propagate. Once you have one string of bananas plant, it’s easy to make more through cuttings.
- Use a sharp knife to cut a section of stem and leaves from the main plant.
- Allow the cut stem to dry out for about a week and form a callus.
- Once the cut area is callused over, lay the cutting on a bed of cactus and succulent mix in a shaded area and water lightly until roots begin to form.
- Next, pot up the rooted cutting in a container filled with fresh cactus and succulent mix, and place in an area with bright, indirect light. You can also form new plants from the banana-shaped leaves, as long as the end of the leaf has a small portion of stem attached.
Houzz readers: Have you grown string of bananas before? Tell us in the Comments.
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Common name: String of bananas, fishhook senecio, fishhook succulent
Temperature requirement: Grows anywhere as a houseplant; outside, it grows best in mild climates, between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4.4 to 21.1 degrees Celsius; it’s fairly frost-tender, but some sources list it as being hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius
Water requirement: Low to moderate in spring and summer; lower needs in fall and winter
Light requirement: Bright, indirect light
Mature size: Plants stay about 6 to 12 inches across but form trailing foliage 6 or more feet long
Seasonal interest: Evergreen grown as a houseplant; forms small white flowers in late winter or early spring
Note: String of pearls succulent (Senecio rowleyanus) is a related but different species, with a similar form and more rounded, pearl-like succulent leaves. It is also native to South Africa.