How to Grow String of Bananas and Care for it

The plant is named so because it grows small, banana-like plump leaves on its vines that people “go bananas” over! Read on to find out How to Grow String of Bananas!

String of Bananas produces not only attractive leaves but also charming white flowers that smell like cinnamon. The succulent is also forgiving and faster growing, and hence it is the better choice for new gardeners. You can put this vining succulent on a high cabinet, hang it over a bookshelf, keep it on a windowsill, or set it on your worktable, and it is sure to become your favorite ornamental piece. Here is your guide on How to Grow String of Bananas!

Botanical Name: Senecio Radicans

Common Names: String of Bananas, Fishhook Senecio, Fishhook Succulent

Check out our article on how to grow jade plant here

Propagating String of Bananas

String of Bananas can be easily propagated through stem cuttings, and it is suitable to grow all year round.

• Take cuttings from a mature stem of a healthy plant and let them dry for a few hours.
• Put the cuttings into water or directly plant them in the soil.
• The roots will start to develop in a couple of weeks.

Tip: This trailing succulent can root from anywhere along its stems. Hence laying the cutting flat will give you a fuller plant.

 Requirements for Growing String of Bananas

Location

Place the plant in a place where it receives about 4-5 hours of daily, direct sunlight. When kept indoors, make sure it gets a lot of bright exposure, so putting it by a south-facing window would be an apt choice. However, protect it from the harsh Indian afternoon sun in summers, as it may scorch the plant.

 Soil

A well-draining succulent mix is perfect for this plant. The plant is prone to root rot, so ensure that the soil is loose and the container has proper drainage holes at the bottom. 

We also have a detailed article on how to make potting mix at home for succulents here

 Watering

This is a drought-tolerant plant, so it’s good to keep it on the drier side. It will be better than okay even if you don’t maintain moisture in the soil. Hence, water the plant only when the topsoil feels dry to touch.

 Caring for String of Bananas

Fertilization

Like most of the succulents, String of Bananas doesn’t necessarily need fertilizing. Nevertheless, you can feed the plant with a balanced organic fertilizer once during the spring and summer months to boost growth and support blooming. Do make sure to read details on the label for dosage and instructions.

Pruning

Prune the plant once every few months to remove the dying or yellow leaves. Doing this helps keep the plant neat and encourages new growth.

Re-potting

This banana succulent prefers to be root-bound, so you should avoid repotting unless absolutely necessary. Re-potting gives not only the succulent transplant shock but also increases its chances of root rot. Repot it in about 3-4 years to a bigger pot. Make sure you do not break the leaves in the process.

Pests & Diseases

Check the undersides of the leaves to look for any pest infestations. The common pests that affect this succulent are aphids, mealybugs, scale, whiteflies, and blackflies. You can use neem oil solution to get rid of them.

For making neem oil pesticide at home, mix two parts neem oil with one part liquid dish soap and two parts water. Store this in a spray bottle and use it directly on plants.