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Banana Vine Curio radicans

Previously known as:

  • Cacalia radicans
  • Kleinia adenocalyx
  • Senecio radicans
Phonetic Spelling
KUR-ree-oh RAD-ih-kans
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

String of bananas is a trailing, herbaceous, succulent, perennial vine in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that has very unusual banana-shaped leaves. It is native to southern Africa, but it is grown all over the world as a houseplant. In its native habitat, it forms mats at the base of trees. The genus name, Curio, is derived from the Latin word curiosus, and this references the plant's "curious" morphology. The specific epithet, radicans, means "taking root" and references how the stems take root along the length of the trailing vine. This plant is related to Curio rowleyanus, which is known as string-of-pearls. 

This plant requires bright, indirect sunlight to all parts of the plant. It prefers well-drained coarse or sandy potting or cactus medium. Water the plant only when the top half of the soil feels dry. It is drought tolerant and over-watering needs to be avoided. It can be propagated by stem cuttings or seeds; however, stem cuttings are the quickest and most common method. The plant is not full-sun tolerant nor frost tolerant. It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10a to 11b. Prune the plant in the spring or summer to manage its growth and to encourage branching.

The string of bananas has long, thin, flexible, green to blue-grayish-green stems. The leaves are green, glossy, thick, fleshy, and banana-shaped. Each leaf has a translucent line or "leaf window" to let in sunlight into the leaf's interior. The banana-shaped leaves are alternate, so the leaves on the stem look like a chain of "little green bananas." The flowers are cinnamon-scented, tiny, white, and appear in a cluster. The length of the stems may be up 1 to 3 feet and the width of the plant is dependent on the size of the container.

The string of bananas is easy to grow, low maintenance, and fast growing. All it requires is that you don't overwater, provide it adequate filtered bright sunlight, and well-drained potting medium. It is attractive in a hanging basket with its long, slender, trailing stems cascading over the container. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for aphids, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites.  Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Browning or reddish leaves is usually caused by sunburn.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#low maintenance#interesting leaves#hanging baskets#cascading#trailing#easy to propagate#vine#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#container plant#problem for cattle#easy to grow houseplant#poisonous if ingested#sandy soil#prostrate
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#low maintenance#interesting leaves#hanging baskets#cascading#trailing#easy to propagate#vine#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#container plant#problem for cattle#easy to grow houseplant#poisonous if ingested#sandy soil#prostrate
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Curio
    Species:
    radicans
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Africa
    Distribution:
    Cape Provinces, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Namibia, and Northern Provinces
    Wildlife Value:
    The sweet smelling flowers attract insects.
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Succulent
    Vine
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Creeping
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is ribbed, single-seeded, achene with a pappus of long white hairs. The wind disperses the seed.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are tiny, white or pale mauve, and appear in a cluster. They are cinnamon scented and bloom from late summer to fall.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are green, succulent, alternate, thick, fleshy, erect, and banana-shaped. They have a translucent line or leaf window on either side. They measure about 1.2 inches long and 0.25 inches in diameter.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are smooth, prostrate, and green to blue-grayish-green. They are slender and wiry, and measure up to about 40 inches long and 2 to 3 mm in diameter. They are winged angled and rooting. The stems are thicker and less delicate than on Curio rowleyanus or string- of- pearls.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Toxic if ingested by humans, pets, or livestock: loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. If large amounts are ingested, it can cause irreversible liver disease. The sap can cause skin irritation or rash.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems