Many people are familiar with the string of pearls plant or the string of bananas plant, but not everyone is familiar with the string of fishhooks plant. The string of fishhooks, or Senecio Radicans, is a succulent native to South Africa with distinct characteristics that set it apart from other succulents.
Fishhooks are sometimes confused with String of Bananas because they both have the botanical name Senecio Radicans. These are popular as a houseplant due to their hardy nature and interesting shape, and trailing stems
In comparison, the string of bananas is also a succulent native to the same region and is known for its unique banana-shaped leaves. Both plants have amazing benefits and drawbacks, making it difficult to determine which is better suited to your home.
In our guide, you can learn more about these fish hooks vs. string of bananas, how they differ from each other, and their similarities. By the end, you’ll have a better idea of which is the better for your home, be it the string of bananas vs string of fishhooks that gets your vote. (Read What Does Lemon Juice Taste Like)
What Is A String of Fish Hooks Succulent
The string of hooks is a trailing succulent South Africa native. It is a member of the Senecio family, and its botanical name is Senecio Radicans. This succulent leaf has a unique shape that resembles a string of fishhooks, hence its name. Its leaves are small and pointed, and they are usually a bluish-grey color.
It is a low-growing plant that makes an excellent ground cover and can be used to create an interesting texture in your garden or home. The string of fishhooks is a hardy and drought-tolerant plant, making it ideal for those with busy lifestyles that don’t allow frequent watering.
It can thrive in both bright and indirect sunlight and tolerate hot and dry conditions. It is also a mildly toxic plant, so it can be an excellent option for those who have curious pets. The string of fishhooks is easy to propagate and can be done with just a few leaves. Finally, it can be grown in various soils and containers, making it easy to grow in any home or garden.
What Is A String of Bananas?
The string of bananas is a succulent native to Southern Africa, and its botanical name is Senecio Rowleyanus. It belongs to the Senecio family and is known for having leaves with a characteristic banana shape. It may be grown in various containers and soils and is a low-maintenance plant.
It is a trailing succulent grown in a hanging basket or as ground cover. A resilient and drought-tolerant plant, the string of bananas may survive in various environments.
It can withstand hot, arid climates and enjoys bright, indirect light. It performs best when exposed to enough light, and if not, it will develop slowly or not at all. It is a plant that grows pretty quickly and is simple to replicate by plucking a few leaves and placing them in fresh growing medium. Finally, it is a well-known houseplant with an unusual shape, making it an excellent conversation starter.
Differences Of String Of Banana & Fish Hooks
The string of fish hooks and the string of bananas appear to have minimal differences if you are new to these plants. However, there are two key distinctions that, when noted or put side by side, will make it simple for you to recognize these plants.
Leaf Color
The string of bananas is a bright, vivid green with two translucent stripes on either side to allow additional light to be absorbed. Both are shades of green. The string of fish hooks can be described as bluish-green, but other people have also called it bluish-grey.
Leaf Shape
The leaves size and shape are other obvious distinctions that can be used to distinguish between these two plants. The foliage of the string of banana is cylindrical and tapers to a point, resembling the banana that serves as its namesake and grows to a length of around an inch.
The succulent foliage on the string of fish hooks is thicker and longer than that of its cousin, likewise tapering into a point, but the fish hook foliage has a much deeper curve that resembles a fishhook.
String Of Banana And Fish Hooks Similarities
Curio radicans, a succulent from Southern Africa in the Asteraceae family, are remarkably similar and require the same care. After distinguishing them by color and foliage size, it’s time to learn how the string of banana and the fish hook Senecio compare and how to cultivate them into lush exotic hanging plants.
Origin
Both succulent plants come from Southern Africa, commonly visible as a ground cover that intertwines into a complex carpet of green plants.
Watering
Botanists consider both the string plants drought-tolerant, making them simple to care for. To prevent overwatering, the soil should dry out between waterings, although they do like watering on a reasonably frequent basis.
Wait another day before watering the plant if you stick your finger deep into the ground and detect wetness. If the soil feels completely dry, water the plant from above and let the water percolate through the well-draining soil. (Read Does Vinegar Kill Fungus In Mulch)
If your pot is too large, it could stay wet for too long.
Temperature
Since both thrive in dry conditions, they are hardy plants that will thrive in temperatures between 70- and 80 degrees Fahrenheit but can withstand temperatures as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit, which they would experience during the summer in Southern Africa.
Both benefit from highly lit indoor locations with at least six hours of morning sunlight to stimulate their growth. Also, both need protection from freezing temperatures.
Avoid keeping them in places with drafts, an air conditioner, or an open window since the cold air may cause the leaves to fall.
Humidity
There is no requirement to enhance humidity in a typical home or office because string plants are evolved to dry, arid conditions. If the humidity is very high, you can experience issues because this can encourage damp, resulting in rotting and the pearls plant falling apart.
Light
In their native environment, they face the sun yet don’t like direct sunlight. Strings are best kept near South or West window to avoid sunburn. Many varieties of Strings can grow with less light, but this causes slower or no growth.
Fertilizer
Like most succulents, String Plants require little to no additional fertilizer and only moderate feeding. The optimal fertilizer is one made for cacti and succulents, although you can also use regular houseplant feed. Make sure you dilute it by about half of what is advised in the directions. During the growing seasons, around once every two months will be sufficient to keep your Senecio healthy and happy.
Pruning
The ability to grow long is another characteristic both plants have in common; however, trimming is helpful and crucial for the plant. You’ll realize the need for pruning once your Senecio fishhook or string of bananas starts to grow.
Pruning promotes the pruned end to produce two new trails and causes the plant to experience a growth spurt.
Flower
These plants, which belong to the same genus, bloom in late winter or early spring with tiny, delicate white flowers with a cinnamon-like scent.
Diseases And Pests
The mealybug is a common pest of both of these plants. However, there are very few reports, yet if you notice tiny white cotton specks, give it a quick rinse under the faucet.
Propagation
Again, both succulents are simple plants to propagate because they belong to the same genus. You could create a forest of cascading strings and vines from a single mature plant of fishhook or bananas plant.
You can grow plants faster from stems that still have some of their leaves attached. Keep them warm and the soil damp; press the stem into the growing medium far enough to let it stay there, and they should root quickly.
If you’re only using the leaves, you should pot them up in the same manner after letting the exposed end dry for a day. As previously noted, this requires more time, but you should still see new growth forming within a few weeks.
FAQs
Are string of beads and String of Bananas the same thing?
Most likely, the most typical and popular Senecio houseplant is the String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus). The Fishhook or Banana String Senecio (Senecio radicans) has leaves that resemble bananas or fishhooks and grows like the String of Pearls.
Can you propagate a string of fish hooks?
Propagating: fishhook succulent plant propagation is easy. Root a cutting in water or soil. It loves haircuts, so clip regularly and share with pals!
Why is my fish hook plant turning yellow?
Over-watering causes yellowing leaves on a succulent plant.
How many string of plants are there?
String succulents are trailing vines that flow overhanging pots and window sills. More than 1,000 plants of Senecio plants make up the fashionable plants.
Can a string of bananas get wet?
Water String Of Bananas thoroughly and let dry before watering again. Avoid keeping it consistently wet, but also avoid letting it become excessively dry. Root rot affects this like other plants.
Why is my string of bananas growing upwards?
If you see bananas grow like this, it’s because of a lack of sufficient light. Put your plant under more substantial light. These plants thrive inside with direct sun and in front of a window.
Why is my string of bananas turning purple?
Overwatering, poor drainage, and fungal infection can lead to root rot from the soil being constantly moist. (Read Citrus Trees Are Angiosperms And Dicots)
How do you bring a banana string back to life?
The banana-shaped leaves and stems propagate the string of banana plants. Clip the stems and plant healthy parts in new soil. Root new plants by placing leaves on their sides on the soil.
Is a string of bananas cold hardy?
Suppose you live in a zone colder than 30° F (-1.1° C), plant a “String of Bananas” in a container you can bring indoors. Partial sun suits it—plant indoors in indirect sunlight.
Why is my string of banana plant dying?
Sunburn is the main reason the String of Bananas becomes brown. Too much sun may cause your String of Banana leaves to turn brown and dry. Move to a shadier spot or shield from direct light.
Alternative String Plants:
String Of Dolphin
Succulents like Senecio Peregrinus, commonly known as String of Dolphin or Dolphin plant, are succulent! An unusual animal-like variety, its curved leaves mimic a pod of jumping dolphins.
The cross-pollination of Senecio Rowleyanus (String of Pearls) and Senecio articulatus (Hot Dog Cactus) can grow to 15 cm (6 inches). Dolphins need intense light. Without enough light, it will revert to Senecio articulatus with broader leaves.
String of Hearts
South African succulent-like String of Hearts Plant trails. In nature, the delicate heart-shaped foliage and slender vines can reach 12’. They want heat and intense light but not direct sunshine. They can be placed indoors in a South or West-facing window with lots of light or outdoors in bright shade.
The succulent String of Hearts plant prefers dry intervals between waterings. The plant needs water when the soil is 2/3 dry in the pot. As these plants go into hibernation, even indoors, the ground dry entirely through the pot in winter. If in doubt, let it dry out rather than over water.
