How often should I water it?

Water only when the soil has dried out completely, usually every 2 to 3 weeks.

Does it need direct sun?

It prefers bright, indirect light but can handle some direct morning sun.

Plant guide

String of bananas.

Senecio radicans (L.) P.V.Heath

Pronounced KYOO-ree-oh RAD-ih-kanz

Also known as Senecio radicans, Baboon Toes, Banana Vine, Creeping Berry, Necklace Plant, String of Bananas, String of Fishhooks, String-of-Bananas

Curio radicans — Photo by Christiaan Viljoen (CC BY) via gbif

This charming succulent is known for its unique, banana shaped leaves that trail beautifully from hanging baskets. It is a hardy grower that loves soaking up plenty of light. You will find it is quite easy to keep happy if you let it dry out between drinks.

Another photo of String of bananas — Photo by Nicola van Berkel (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright indirect light to partial sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 10 to 21 days
Mature size: 3 feet long
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Plant this in a well draining mix to prevent rot. Watch for shriveling leaves, which usually means it is thirsty. Ensure it gets plenty of light to keep the stems from stretching out too much.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems to encourage a fuller, bushier appearance.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound or the soil breaks down.
Soil: Cactus and succulent potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth

Safety

People: The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are toxic if ingested.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as the leaves are small and could pose a choking hazard if swallowed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no known significant airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Curved banana shaped succulent leaves
Trailing stems that grow quickly
Small white or yellow daisy flowers
Fleshy leaves with translucent windows

Height: 0.05 to 0.15m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, blue-green, evergreen
Flowers: white, yellow, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

Mealybugs · Small white cottony insects that cluster in leaf crevices.
Root rot · Caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil.

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring containers indoors before the first frost. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months.
In containers: It is excellent for hanging baskets or shallow containers, provided they have drainage holes.

Stem Cuttings

1. Snip a healthy stem segment at least 5 cm long.
2. Let the cut end callous over for 2 days.
3. Place the cutting on top of well-draining succulent soil.
4. Mist lightly until roots establish.

Group succulents with similar water needs to avoid accidental overwatering of the drought-tolerant species.

Grows well with

Echeveria · They share similar water and light requirements.
Jade Plant · Both thrive in bright light and dry soil conditions.

Similar species

String of Pearls · It has a similar trailing habit but with spherical leaves.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Curio
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South Africa
Conservation: Not currently of conservation concern.

It grows in rocky, well-drained areas where it trails along the ground to spread.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: hanging baskets, ground cover, succulent collections

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water only when the soil has dried out completely, usually every 2 to 3 weeks.
Does it need direct sun?: It prefers bright, indirect light but can handle some direct morning sun.

Where the name comes from

The name Curio comes from the Latin word for curiosity, while radicans refers to its tendency to root along the stems.

Good to know

Commonly known as string of bananas due to its curved, banana-shaped leaves.
It is a fast-growing succulent that trails beautifully over pot edges.
The flowers have a subtle scent often described as spicy or cinnamon-like.
It belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 27, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.