Plant Care String of Bananas

String of Bananas

4.5 out of 5 (79 experiences)

String of Bananas has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower
String of Bananas has a Easy to propagate plant personality 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

Curio radicans
Curio
Asteraceae
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

Water needs for String of Bananas
0.5 cups
every 9

String of Bananas needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 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.

Calculate water needs of String of Bananas

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for String of Bananas in your home

Light needs and placement for plant String of Bananas: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

String of Bananas love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

String of Bananas does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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!

Benefits of Growing String of Bananas →

Common String of Bananas Problems →


💦 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.

String of Bananas Toxicity to Cats →

String of Bananas Toxicity to Dogs →

String of Bananas Toxicity to Humans →


💨 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 →

When and How to Successfully Repot String of Bananas →


💩 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!

How Much and When to Fertilize String of Bananas →


❄️ 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.

String of Bananas Flowers →


⬆️ ⬇️ 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.

How and When to Prune String of Bananas →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
String of Bananas can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

String of Bananas Temperature Tolerance →


🌱 Propagation

The seeds of String of Bananas can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate String of Bananas →


🧐 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.


Care Summary for String of Bananas

String of Bananas

String of Bananas


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft 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

String of Bananas has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 52
String of Bananas has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 36
String of Bananas has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 27
String of Bananas has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 8
String of Bananas has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 6
String of Bananas has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 3
@mirandaaplanet avatar
@@mirandaaplanet
leaf-1 119 Plants
xp 8,391 XP
04/03/2022

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

Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@Lovinglearning avatar
@@Lovinglearning
leaf-1 38 Plants
xp 1,576 XP
globe Warwick, GA
03/28/2022

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

Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@Youngplantdad avatar
@@Youngplantdad
leaf-1 90 Plants
xp 11,995 XP
globe 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 Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Blooms easily Blooms easily
Survivor Survivor
Mia avatar
@Mia
leaf-1 3 Plants
xp 64 XP
10/02/2021

🍌🍌🌱🌱

Survivor Survivor
@Eleni avatar
@@Eleni
leaf-1 10 Plants
xp 380 XP
globe 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 Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
@Sophiekotar44 avatar
@@Sophiekotar44
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 69 XP
globe Lawrence, KS
08/24/2021

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

@JferLuvsConifers avatar
@@JferLuvsConifers
leaf-1 69 Plants
xp 13,925 XP
globe Greensboro, NC
08/15/2021

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

Fast grower Fast grower
@HazyPortarica avatar
@@HazyPortarica
leaf-1 16 Plants
xp 752 XP
08/10/2021

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

Fast grower Fast grower
@theajohnson avatar
@@theajohnson
leaf-1 17 Plants
xp 612 XP
globe Thornleigh, New South Wales
08/02/2021

very easy to propagate

Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Silvia avatar
@Silvia
leaf-1 103 Plants
xp 3,724 XP
globe 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.

@jeannieh avatar
@@jeannieh
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 3,737 XP
globe Greeley, CO
07/28/2021

Don’t overwater!

Fast grower Fast grower
@Gerg avatar
@@Gerg
leaf-1 26 Plants
xp 315 XP
globe Cheadle Hulme, England
07/28/2021

Great soft hard

@honeyyvoiced avatar
@@honeyyvoiced
leaf-1 39 Plants
xp 9,520 XP
globe Des Plaines, IL
07/22/2021

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

@Fairyplant avatar
@@Fairyplant
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 123 XP
globe 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 Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Angelina avatar
@Angelina
leaf-1 1 Plants
xp 747 XP
globe 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 Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Blooms easily Blooms easily
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Angelina avatar
@Angelina
leaf-1 1 Plants
xp 747 XP
globe 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 Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Blooms easily Blooms easily
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
@noekylie avatar
@@noekylie
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 142 XP
globe Lexington, TX
07/06/2021

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

Survivor Survivor
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
@olivia20 avatar
@@olivia20
leaf-1 17 Plants
xp 648 XP
globe Port Washington, NY
07/02/2021

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

Fast grower Fast grower
@Lillththeecatus avatar
@@Lillththeecatus
leaf-1 17 Plants
xp 520 XP
globe 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 Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@DanielNdMills avatar
@@DanielNdMills
leaf-1 27 Plants
xp 600 XP
globe Costessey, England
06/22/2021

Great plant, loves to grab anything around it and use it for support while hanging. We nearly lost him to mould but managed to pull through 💪

Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor

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