Senecio radicans

String of Bananas (Curio radicans, still widely sold as Senecio radicans) is the trailing succulent for people who have killed a string of pearls. The glossy crescent leaves are thicker and tougher than pearls, so it forgives inconsistent watering, and the strands run to about a metre from a hanging pot while the plant stays only 40cm across. It is fast, easy to propagate and hard to overfeed.

Why you'll love it

• Far more forgiving than string of pearls. The banana shaped leaves hold more water and shrivel rather than shatter when a watering is missed.
• Quick trailing length. Strands extend through the warm months, so a small plant becomes a proper curtain within a season.
• Handles heat and dry air. Drought and heat tolerance suit a hot western balcony or an air conditioned room.
• Free plants from every trim. Cut strands root wherever they touch mix, the easiest way to thicken a thin pot.

Where it works best

Hanging pots and shelves. Anywhere the strands can hang clear is ideal. A 200mm hanging pot suits one plant and looks full within a year.

Indoors in a bright spot. It needs the brightest position you have, close to a window. In a dim corner the strands stretch and the leaves space out along bare stems.

Balconies, courtyards and rockeries. Outdoors in the right climate it spills over a wall, a rock ledge or the side of a raised bed.

Growing String of Bananas in Australia

Position and climate. Bright light with a few hours of gentle direct sun, avoiding harsh afternoon glare through glass. Outdoors it suits subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid zones in a sheltered sunny spot. It is frost tender, so in cool temperate gardens it lives indoors or under cover through winter.

Soil. A gritty succulent or cactus mix, never ordinary potting mix alone. Drainage holes are essential, and a shallow pot dries faster than a deep one.

Water and feed. Soak thoroughly, then let the mix dry right out before watering again, usually every two to three weeks in summer and monthly in winter. Feed once or twice in the warm months at half strength.

Pruning. Trim any strand back to the pot rim to control length or encourage branching. Lay the cuttings on the same pot and they root within weeks, filling the bare top.

What to expect when it arrives

It is supplied as tube stock: a young rooted plant with short strands rather than a finished hanging basket. Pot it into a 150mm to 200mm hanging pot of gritty mix on arrival and it will trail properly through its first warm season. Starting small also lets you pinch the tips early for a fuller plant.

Plants travel packed upright and are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect a settling fortnight, then visible extension within four to six weeks in warm weather. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Growing blue chalksticks, a close relative
• Browse the full succulent range
• Indoor plants for bright rooms
• Plants that suit balconies and courtyards

Common questions

Is it safe around pets?

No. Senecio group succulents, including this one, are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. Hang it well out of reach, and pick up any strands that break off onto the ground.

Why are the strands bare at the top?

Too little light, or age. Move it to the brightest spot you have, then trim long strands back and lay the cuttings on the mix so they root and fill the crown.

Why are the leaves shrivelling?

Underwatering shrivels them evenly, and they plump up after a good soak. Soft, yellowing or mushy leaves point to overwatering instead, and that damage does not reverse.

Can it live outside all year?

In subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens, yes, in a sheltered spot shaded from fierce afternoon sun. Anywhere that frosts, bring it under cover for winter.