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String of Bananas

4.5 out of 5 (79 experiences)

Fast grower

Easy to propagate

About String of Bananas

String of bananas evolved their signature shape as an adaptation to store water in dry environments. In place of leaves, cells in the green bananas perform photosynthesis to feed the plant. Translucent crescents act like windows to allow sunlight to reach cells on the inside of the banana and increase their ability to capture the sun! 🪟☀️

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Curio radicans

Genus

Curio

Family

Asteraceae

Order

Asterales

Also known as

Senecio radicans and String of Fishhooks

How to care for String of Bananas

💦 Water

How often to water your String of Bananas

String of Bananas needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for String of Bananas in your home

String of Bananas may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of String of Bananas in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize String of Bananas

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for String of Bananas: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your String of Bananas after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #StringOfBananas

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

String of Bananas is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow String of Bananas →

Benefits of Growing String of Bananas →

Indoor Care Guide for String of Bananas →

Outdoor Care Guide for String of Bananas →

💦 Water Needs

String of Bananas prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

String of Bananas Water Frequency →

String of Bananas Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

String of Bananas requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

String of Bananas Light Requirements →

String of Bananas Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

String of Bananas is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

💨 Humidity

String of Bananas prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

String of Bananas Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

String of Bananas is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for String of Bananas →

Best Pots for String of Bananas →

When and How to Successfully Repot String of Bananas →

What Are Healthy String of Bananas Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

String of Bananas grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for String of Bananas to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

String of Bananas is native to Southwestern Africa.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your String of Bananas bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Is String of Bananas an Annual Plant? →

Is String of Bananas a Perennial Plant? →

String of Bananas Pollination Guide →

Common String of Bananas Flower Problems →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

String of Bananas has long, trailing foliage which makes them a great addition to a hanging planter. The newest growth will emerge from the tip of the stems.

String of Bananas Lifecycle →

String of Bananas Size Guide →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
String of Bananas can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

String of Bananas Temperature Tolerance →

String of Bananas Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with String of Bananas →

When to Plant String of Bananas →

How to Plant String of Bananas →

Where to Plant String of Bananas →

Winter Care for String of Bananas →

Best Companion Plants for String of Bananas →

Is String of Bananas a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

String of Bananas can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:

Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Common Bugs Affecting String of Bananas →

What Eats String of Bananas? →

Care Summary for String of Bananas

String of Bananas

Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 12 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Fast grower 52

Easy to propagate 36

Survivor 27

Large, lush leaves 8

Blooms easily 6

Browns easily 3

@@mirandaaplanet

119 Plants

8,391 XP

04/03/2022

Give it lots of light and not too much water. It’s that easy!

Fast grower

Easy to propagate

Survivor

String of Bananas plant photo by @mirandaaplanet named Daaaay-oh! on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Lovinglearning

38 Plants

1,576 XP

Warwick, GA

03/28/2022

I love how easy this plant has been for me. And it is pretty too.

Fast grower

Easy to propagate

Survivor

String of Bananas plant photo by @Lovinglearning named BananaMomma on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Youngplantdad

90 Plants

11,995 XP

Washington, IL

01/14/2022

everything about this plant is great! although make sure you wait to water until the soil is completely dry due to this being a member of the succulent family. also provide enough light!!!

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Easy to propagate

Blooms easily

Survivor

String of Bananas plant photo by @Youngplantdad named Messi on Greg, the plant care app.

@Mia

3 Plants

64 XP

10/02/2021

🍌🍌🌱🌱

Survivor

String of Bananas plant photo by Mia named Diana on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Eleni

10 Plants

380 XP

Midlothian, TX

08/26/2021

The sting of bananas Is by far one of my favorites!! I would highly recommend getting one if you’re unsure how to care for any succulents!!

Fast grower

Easy to propagate

String of Bananas plant photo by @Eleni named Pedro on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Sophiekotar44

4 Plants

69 XP

Lawrence, KS

08/24/2021

It needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.

String of Bananas plant photo by @Sophiekotar44 named Lebron on Greg, the plant care app.

@@JferLuvsConifers

61 Plants

15,408 XP

Greensboro, NC

08/15/2021

I got her as a tiny cutting but she throws off baby bananas very quickly and easily.

Fast grower

String of Bananas plant photo by @JferLuvsConifers named Mother Ginger on Greg, the plant care app.

@@HazyPortarica

16 Plants

752 XP

08/10/2021

Love this plant. It’s getting bigger every day!

Fast grower

String of Bananas plant photo by @HazyPortarica named Cher on Greg, the plant care app.

@@theajohnson

17 Plants

612 XP

Thornleigh, New South Wales

08/02/2021

very easy to propagate

Easy to propagate

String of Bananas plant photo by @theajohnson named yummy on Greg, the plant care app.

@Silvia

103 Plants

3,724 XP

Albuquerque, NM

07/30/2021

It’s a succulent and is pretty hearty I have to watch myself I over water if I’m mot careful. It really looks like dolphins.

String of Bananas plant photo by Silvia named String of dolphins on Greg, the plant care app.

@@jeannieh

5 Plants

3,737 XP

Greeley, CO

07/28/2021

Don’t overwater!

Fast grower

String of Bananas plant photo by @jeannieh named Rihanna on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Gerg

26 Plants

315 XP

Cheadle Hulme, England

07/28/2021

Great soft hard

String of Bananas plant photo by @Gerg named TeFiti on Greg, the plant care app.

@@honeyyvoiced

25 Plants

9,959 XP

Des Plaines, IL

07/22/2021

I’m new to this plant but I already love it so much. Very hardy

String of Bananas plant photo by @honeyyvoiced named Richard on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Fairyplant

5 Plants

123 XP

East Palo Alto, CA

07/22/2021

I love this plant it’s makes me happy for some reason but it’s kinda dying needa save 🏃🏽‍♀️🙌🏼

Fast grower

Easy to propagate

String of Bananas plant photo by @Fairyplant named Dingle on Greg, the plant care app.

@Angelina

1 Plants

747 XP

New Port Richey, FL

07/13/2021

This plant is absolutely beautiful when I purchased it was a small plant it as grown so much and I was to cut some pieces off and I placed them 4 different hanging baskets and placed them hanging from my tree they just keep growing with little maintenance.

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Blooms easily

Easy to propagate

@Angelina

1 Plants

747 XP

New Port Richey, FL

07/13/2021

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Blooms easily

Easy to propagate

@@noekylie

6 Plants

142 XP

Lexington, TX

07/06/2021

can go 2+ weeks without watering! don’t over estimate the water.

Survivor

Easy to propagate

String of Bananas plant photo by @noekylie named bartholomew on Greg, the plant care app.

@@olivia20

17 Plants

648 XP

Port Washington, NY

07/02/2021

bright sunlight is necessary, south or west window. after that you’ll see it grows quickly

Fast grower

String of Bananas plant photo by @olivia20 named Carl on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Lillththeecatus

17 Plants

520 XP

Auckland

07/02/2021

I love my string of bananas! Such a cute crawler to add!! They are so easy to look after, and taking cuttings to propagate and grow are super easy too. Totally recommend to new growers.

Fast grower

Easy to propagate

Survivor