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Plants / String of Bananas

String of Bananas

Senecio radicans

Also known as: Fishhooks Senecio, Banana Vine

⚠ïļ Toxic to petsAsteraceaeVery easy to propagate

A complete guide to growing and propagating String of Bananas: its care needs, how to take cuttings and root them, how long propagation takes, and how to fix the most common problems.

String of Bananas care at a glance

☀ïļ Light
Bright, indirect light with some direct sun; a fast-growing trailing succulent.
💧 Water
Water when the mix is fully dry; the banana-shaped leaves store water.
ðŸŠī Soil
Gritty, fast-draining succulent mix.
ðŸ’Ļ Humidity
Low to average humidity.
ðŸū Toxicity
Toxic to cats and dogs (Senecio; can cause vomiting and irritation if eaten).

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How to propagate String of Bananas

Stem cuttings (soil or water)

Difficulty: Very easyTimeline: Roots in 2-4 weeks.
  1. Snip several 4-6 inch strands and bare the lowest nodes.
  2. Let the cut ends callus for a day.
  3. Coil the strands on top of gritty mix so nodes contact the soil.
  4. Keep bright and lightly moist until rooted.

Common String of Bananas problems & fixes

Shriveled, wrinkled leaves

Underwatering — give a thorough soak and let it drain fully, then wait until the soil is bone dry.

Mushy, translucent leaves or stems

Overwatering and rot. Cut back watering, repot into a gritty fast-draining mix, and remove any rotted roots.

Stretched, pale growth

Too little light (etiolation). Move to bright, direct light; behead and re-root the stretched top to reset a compact shape.

Track your string of bananas cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

Get SnipLog →

Toxicity notes are a general guide based on ASPCA-style classifications — if a pet ingests any houseplant, contact your vet. Care needs vary with your home's conditions.