Curio herreianus
Also known as: String of bananas
String of bananas: same trailing habit as pearls but with curved banana-shaped leaves and a slightly tougher constitution. It belongs to the Curio genus, comes from South Africa (Namaqualand), stays around Trails 30–90 cm, and tolerates USDA 10–12; protect below 5 °C. Individual plants vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Key facts
- Genus: Curio
- Origin: South Africa (Namaqualand)
- Mature size: Trails 30–90 cm
- Hardiness: USDA 10–12; protect below 5 °C
- Toxicity: Mildly toxic if eaten
Succulent at a glance
- Genus
- Curio
- Origin
- South Africa (Namaqualand)
- Mature size
- Trails 30–90 cm
- Growth habit
- Trailing stems with banana-shaped leaves
- Leaf colour
- Green to blue-green crescents, purple flush in sun
- Flower colour
- White brush flowers
- Hardiness
- USDA 10–12; protect below 5 °C
- Toxicity
- Mildly toxic if eaten
- Other names
- String of bananas
About the Curio herreianus
String of bananas: same trailing habit as pearls but with curved banana-shaped leaves and a slightly tougher constitution. More sun-tolerant and forgiving — the better beginner choice of the two.
Care and cultivation
String-of succulents have thin stems and small water-storing leaves, so they want lighter watering more often than rosette succulents — but still only when the soil is dry. Grow in a shallow, very gritty mix in bright indirect light, water until it drains, then wait. Shriveled beads mean thirsty; mushy beads near the soil mean rot. Light: Bright indirect with a little direct sun. Water: Light, infrequent watering; beads/shapes rot if kept wet. Use a Very gritty, fast-draining mix in a shallow pot.
Description
Curio herreianus is a Curio succulent from South Africa (Namaqualand). String of bananas: same trailing habit as pearls but with curved banana-shaped leaves and a slightly tougher constitution. More sun-tolerant and forgiving — the better beginner choice of the two.
Identification
Look for: Green to blue-green crescents, purple flush in sun leaves in a Trails 30–90 cm form. Also answers to String of bananas. The genus is Curio, which already narrows down the care requirements considerably. Nickname: 'String of bananas'.
Common problems
Bead shrivelling from underwatering • Rot from overwatering — the #1 killer • Bare stems near the pot when light is uneven •
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water my Curio herreianus?
Light, infrequent watering; beads/shapes rot if kept wet. Always let the soil dry completely between waterings, and water less in winter when growth slows.
How much light does Curio herreianus need?
Bright indirect with a little direct sun. If the plant stretches or loses colour, it needs more light.
Related succulents
Succulent information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Curio herreianus, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.