Photo: KaitM42CC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
String Of Bananas Plant Care
Senecio radicans Sch.Bip.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Senecio radicans (L.f.) Sch.Bip.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for String Of Bananas?
Water String Of Bananas every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the String Of Bananas Native To?
What Is the String Of Bananas?
String Of Bananas (Senecio radicans) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Senecio genus. String Of Bananas is native to South Africa. String Of Bananas is also known as Cacalia radicans, Kleinia radicans, Senecio radicans.
String Of Bananas displays a trailing, cascading growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. String Of Bananas produces small, daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a String Of Bananas?
Senecio radicans requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the String Of Bananas Need?
String Of Bananas thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing String Of Bananas in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect
What Temperature and Humidity Does the String Of Bananas Prefer?
Senecio radicans grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. String Of Bananas prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a String Of Bananas?
Well-draining soil mix with good aeration and organic matter. Good drainage is essential for String Of Bananas to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a String Of Bananas?
Feed String Of Bananas every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a String Of Bananas?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a String Of Bananas?
String Of Bananas can be propagated through stem cuttings in water or soil. Similar propagation techniques also apply to string of pearls plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the String Of Bananas Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list, which covers Senecio species (which includes String Of Bananas). View the ASPCA entry
Mildly toxic to cats, dogs and humans
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the String Of Bananas?
String Of Bananas is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the String Of Bananas Need?
String Of Bananas grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. String Of Bananas is native to South Africa. In cooler regions, grow String Of Bananas as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
String Of Bananas is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Senecio genus — compare its care with other Senecio species on PlantoScan.
Senecio is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
String Of Bananas thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Senecio radicans Sch.Bip., family Asteraceae (first published in Flora 28: 499 (1845)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Senecio species (which includes String Of Bananas) as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: KaitM42, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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