Senecio radicans (String of Bananas) – Succulent plants

Senecio radicans (String of Bananas) is an ornamental, succulent houseplant with mat-forming stems 6 to 12 inches long. It has fleshy, glossy, and elongated succulent leaves that curve and taper to a pointed tip, much like the shape of a banana. Each leaf is cylindrical in shape, 2 – 3 cm long, and features two translucent lines on either side with an alternate arrangement of leaves. A string of Banana plants produce a small, cinnamon-scented, white or off-white flowers, usually in the late winter or early spring seasons. All parts of these plants are poisonous if ingested. Senecio radicans are suitable for pots, hanging baskets.

Scientific Name: Senecio radicans
Common Names: String of Bananas

 

 

 

How to grow and maintain Senecio radicans (String of Bananas):

Light:
It thrives well in bright sunlight to partial shade. keeping your plants on the south or west window is ideal. Avoid too much direct sunlight.

Soil:
It grows well in well-draining, sandy soil, cactus, and succulent potting mix or uses a mixture of two parts peat-moss based potting mix and one part sharp sand.

Water:
Water your plant regularly during the growing season and always keep the soil evenly moist but soggy. You can allow the topsoil to become slightly dry between each watering. During the winter months, reduce watering.

Temperature:
It grows best in an average house temperature during the growing season, but during the dormant period prefer 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize once a month with a balanced organic liquid fertilizer diluted by half. Never fertilize in the winter when the plants are resting.

Pruning:
Prune after flowering to maintain a more compact growth habit.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated by stem or leaf cuttings. It can also be propagated through seeds.

Pests and Diseases:
There is no serious pest or disease problems. Maybe attacked by mealybugs.