String of Pearls 'Purple Banana'

🌿 The String of Pearls 'Purple Banana' (Senecio rowleyanus 'Purple Banana') is a captivating succulent from the Asteraceae family, originally native to the dry regions of southwest Africa. This trailing plant features unique banana-shaped leaves that display stunning purple hues when exposed to bright light, making it a standout among typical bead-like string succulents. It's a beginner-friendly houseplant that forgives occasional neglect and rewards minimal effort with gorgeous cascading growth. Here's a fun fact: despite being called "string of pearls," this variety's leaves look more like tiny purple bananas dangling from fishing line, and it can grow up to three feet long indoors when happy.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This succulent grows in a trailing habit, perfect for hanging baskets or spilling over the edges of shelves. The leaves are plump, banana-shaped beads about half an inch long, strung along thin, wiry green stems. In lower light, they stay green with purple undertones, but give them bright indirect light and they transform into deep purple beauties. The leaves have a smooth, almost waxy texture that helps them retain moisture, and each one has a tiny translucent window stripe that allows light to penetrate for photosynthesis.
FLOWER DETAILS
When mature and content, String of Pearls 'Purple Banana' produces small white flowers that look like tiny pom-poms or paintbrushes. These blooms appear on long stalks rising above the trailing strands, typically in late summer or early fall. The flowers have a sweet, subtle cinnamon-like fragrance that fills a room surprisingly well for such small blooms. They're delicate and charming, adding an unexpected bonus to an already attractive plant. To encourage flowering, give your plant a cooler rest period in winter with slightly reduced watering, then resume normal care in spring. The combination of bright light, maturity, and this seasonal shift often triggers bloom production.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS

🌞 Light: Bright indirect light for 6-8 hours daily. Some direct morning sun enhances purple colouration. Tolerates lower light but growth slows and colour fades.
💧 Water: Let soil dry completely between waterings. Water every 2-3 weeks in growing season, every 4-5 weeks in winter. Bottom watering works best to avoid rotting the delicate stems. Water thoroughly until it drains out, then let it sit dry.
🌡️ Humidity: Average household humidity of 30-50% is perfect. Actually prefers drier air and doesn't need misting.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent mix. Add extra perlite or coarse sand for improved drainage. Avoid moisture-retentive soils.
🏺 Potting: Shallow, wide pots work best since roots are shallow. Terra cotta is ideal as it allows soil to dry faster. Repot every 2-3 years in spring, or when root-bound.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate growth. Adds 6-12 inches in the first year under good conditions. Can reach 2-3 feet long at maturity in 2-3 years. Growth slows in winter.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with diluted succulent fertilizer at half strength. No fertilizer needed in fall and winter when plant rests.
🐾 Pet friendly: No, this plant is toxic to cats and dogs. Contains compounds that can cause vomiting, drooling, and stomach upset if ingested. Keep out of reach of curious pets.

WHERE TO PUT IT
String of Pearls 'Purple Banana' looks stunning in hanging planters near bright windows, on high shelves where strands can cascade down, or in macramé hangers in living rooms, bedrooms, or home offices. It works beautifully on plant stands or atop bookcases where you can appreciate the trailing growth from below. The purple colouration really pops near white walls or neutral decor. Don't place it in bathrooms or kitchens where humidity runs high, and avoid dark corners or rooms without natural light. Keep it away from heating vents that dry it out too quickly, and definitely out of reach from pets and small children who might be tempted to touch or taste those interesting banana-shaped beads.
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