Charlotte

String of Fish Hooks

Curio radicans, String of fish hooks, String of bananas

• Charlotte likes...
  • 
    Light watering

    Over summer, water Charlotte well about once a month, let her drain, then let her dry out before watering her again. You hardly need to water her at all over winter.

  • 
    Bright light

    A spot in a bright sunny room would be ideal. Too much harsh light right next to a window may scorch the leaves.

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    Feeding

    To support her growth, give Charlotte some plant food once a month when you water her throughout summer.

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Senecio radicans ‘Fishhook’

  Nickname

  Curio radicans, String of fish hooks, String of bananas

  Plant type

  Indoor

  Plant height (including pot)

  50-60cm 

  Pet/baby safe

  Toxic if eaten

  Nursery pot size

  14cm

• About Senecio radicans ‘Fishhook’

  An unusual, easy-care ornamental houseplant, Senecio radicans ‘Fishhook’ is displayed as a trailing plant but in its native habitat of the Cape Province in South Africa, it would actually sprawl over rocky ground. As a way of adapting to long, hot months of little rainfall, this succulent plant has developed fleshy, plump grey-green leaves. Their slightly arced or crescent shape has given them fun common names that compare them to ‘fish hooks’ or ‘bananas’. 

  Not only is String of fish hooks loved as a houseplant because of the colour and shape of its leaves and because it looks great in a hanging pot, but if you’re lucky you’ll get a delightful surprise from this plant in summer: small, white, cinnamon-smelling flowers. The key to keeping this plant in good health is positioning it in a good amount of light, not overwatering it, giving it a regular feed over summer, and not moving it about too much. There’s no need to mist or prune it, a laid back, tough love approach is just fine. 

  Did you know?

  The species name radicans describes the way this plant propagates itself, by sending out roots along its stem as it trails along the ground.