Repotting guide

When & how to repot String of bananas (Senecio radicans)

Also called banana vine, fishhook senecio.

About String of bananas

Senecio radicans · also called banana vine, fishhook senecio · houseplant

String of bananas is a trailing southern African succulent with banana-shaped green leaves on long stems. Faster-growing and more forgiving than its cousin string of pearls. Mildly toxic to pets.

Curio radicans (formerly Senecio radicans), a trailing succulent native to southern Africa (Cape provinces through KwaZulu-Natal and into Namibia); the curved, banana-shaped leaves are water-storage organs.

A coarse, well-drained sandy or cactus medium at neutral pH matches its arid origin and prevents root rot.

Mature size: 60-90 cm trailing

Sources: plants.ces.ncsu.edu, ohiotropics.com

How to tell string of bananas needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For string of bananas, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot string of bananas

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. String of bananas's growth habit — trailing succulent — sets the pace. String of bananas is a trailing southern African succulent with banana-shaped green leaves on long stems. Faster-growing and more forgiving than its cousin string of pearls. Mildly toxic to pets.

What size pot to step string of bananas up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. String of bananas stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot string of bananas

Spring or summer, while string of bananas is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting string of bananas

Repot dry. Do not water string of bananas for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty free-draining succulent mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set string of bananas at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep string of bananas completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for string of bananas

String of bananas wants free-draining succulent mix. Cactus mix with extra perlite; shallow pots suit the surface roots. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting string of bananas — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot string of bananas?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for string of bananas. Repot string of bananas every 2–3 years into a snug pot of free-draining succulent mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does string of bananas need?

When is the best time of year to repot string of bananas?

Should you water string of bananas after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot string of bananas into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise string of bananas after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting string of bananas. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.