Banana chain (Senecio radicans)

pot full of plant with long creeping branches

El Senecio radicals It is a plant of the Asteraceae family, it is also known as "bananas chain”, For its curved bluish-green foliage and its stems that develop in a rather peculiar way.

It is a perennial species with an exotic countenance, it grows well outdoors, but adapts very well indoors. Like most succulents, Senecio is an easy-to-grow plant and maintenance that does not have higher demands.

Habitat

green branches on top of a white paper

It is a plant native to Namibia and South Africa, where you can see it in the wild at the base of rocks, drought tolerant they are separated from each other by sandy or rocky soils. Its succulent fabrics help to conserve moisture, a characteristic that allows them to fully adapt to dry and warm conditions.

Senecio radicans characteristics

El Senecio radicals It is a hanging plant that forms a cascade of thin, ductile stems covered with curved, bluish-green leaves. Resembles Senecio rowleyanus, But its leaves are larger, elongated, lanceolate and spherical but subtly curved upwards, their translucency allows sunlight to shine through them, scattered, alternate, showing a delicate branching pattern of the strands. If grown on a rock, it will root along the entire length of its stems.

With thick, glabrous stems, somewhat erect, its branches are thin and wavy, 1 meter or more in length, frequently wing-shaped, rooted. The evenly spaced leaves form a kind of chain of green bananas as they spread across the ground. With white and mauve flowers, they appear during the fall and winter, they have a sweet aroma of cinnamon. The parts of the Senecio radicals They are not suitable for human consumption, because they are harmful.

Indoors, it is preferable to place it in a place where it receives excellent light, although in summer you should make sure not to place it near hot glass or for a long time in the sun, as this can damage it.  Remember that one of its characteristics, is that their succulent tissues are full of water. In open spaces, a place where you can take advantage of the morning sun and afternoon shade is preferable. This species has a robustness that allows it to withstand temperatures that can range from - 4 º C to 43 º C.

It is recommended that you plant your banana string in a light mix, which has the ability to quickly drain the water. When it is placed in pots, you can add a mixture of cacti, so that your succulent plant takes root better. In this way, you can prevent their roots from rotting. Like most succulents, keep your specimen in a dry place as much as possible, instead of wet. It is a fast growing species.

Irrigation

It is recommended that you water it every two weeks, with the exception of the winter season during the rains. Now, if the plant is indoors in your home, you can water it every 3 or 6 weeks, depending on the season in question. It is important to make sure that the soil is completely dry between waterings. If the plant has good drainage, then the frequency of watering would not be so important.

Senecio does not require any fertilizer, but if you prefer, you can choose an organic liquid fertilizer prescribed for indoor plants and apply it during the spring. In no case fertilize in winter.

Uses

potted creeping plant

El Senecio radicals looks best in hanging baskets and wall pots. Also excellent for mixed container planting. It is a perfect plant for the garden, although due to its particular appearance, it looks good in almost any space you decide. You can place it inside the house, as long as it receives enough light and has good ventilation.

The teal green of this hanging succulent, its unrivaled leaves, long spreading stems, add a complementary eye-catcher to any space in your home.

Plagues and diseases

It is not common for this species to be attacked by pests, although it can have sandy insects such as white mealybug, in which case you should wash the plant. Always remember the recommendations to prevent the roots from rotting.


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