Fishhooks Senecio: This Trailing Succulent Is So Easy to Grow

If you want an easy care plant that trails like crazy, then call off the search – you’ve found it. The Fishhooks Senecio (some call the ones I have Grey Fishhooks Senecio) likes to ramble and at 4′ long, shows no signs of slowing down. This succulent loves any admiration you can throw its way but is not fussy at all when it comes to care. Mine grow outdoors here in Santa Barbara but they make excellent houseplants.

This is 1 of my Fishhooks Senecios – my what long trails you have!

This plant also goes by the names Fishhooks Plant, String Of Fishhooks, Senecio “Fish Hooks ” as well as by its botanic moniker Senecio radicans. This is a bit confusing because there’s another succulent (which you see at the end of this post) that I know as String Of Bananas which also has the botanic name Senecio radicans. No matter what you call the plant I’m showcasing, it trails like crazy & is a snap to maintain.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Light / Exposure

Indoors the Fishhooks likes to live in a bright to high light spot, like near a south or west window. Just be sure to keep it away from hot glass or prolonged exposure to hot summer sun because it’ll burn. Remember, those leaves & stems are full of water. Outdoors here on the coast of California mine get morning sun & are shaded from the hotter afternoon sun. If you’re inland where the sun is more intense, bright shade is the way to go.

Hardiness

String Of Fishhooks run the gamut when it comes to temperature – from 25 degrees to 100 degrees F.

Watering

I water my Fishhook Senecios every 2 weeks, less in the winter if it’s been raining (more rain please in Southern California!) &/or if it’s cool. Indoors, you want to water yours every 3-6 weeks depending on the season & how hot & dry your home is. It’s good to let it almost thoroughly dry out between waterings. No matter the frequency, you want to thoroughly water the plant & make sure all the water drains out.

Soil

Speaking of water draining out, you want to plant your String Of Fishhooks in a light, fast draining mix. I use a succulent & cactus mix when potting & rooting all my succulents. This way, there’s much less chance that the roots will rot out. Like the majority of succulents, it’s better to keep them on the drier side than too wet.

Fertilizer

I never fertilize my succulents but instead top dress them them with a nice amount of worm castings (1″) & organic compost (2″) every spring. They really don’t need any fertilizing but if you feel for some reason that yours does, then feed with an organic liquid fertilizer formulated for houseplants & apply once in the spring. Never fertilize in the winter when the plants are resting. Hey, plants need a little break too!

The Fishhooks grew through the back of this bed & have found their way out onto the gravel landscaping. I’ll need to start pruning it back to keep it off of the walkway. If it gets too dense from the pinching, then it’s time to take it out.

Pests

Mine have never gotten any & this plant is not notorious for any infestations. Indoors, yours might get mealy bugs (this critter looks like small specks of cotton) & if it does, just take it to the sink or shower & wash it down. Just make sure your Fishhooks Senecio never stays too wet for too long, especially in those cooler months. Outside, use the garden hose for a gentle blasting.

Pruning

You’ll need to prune it if you want to control the length. Just know that new growth will eventually fork off from the cut ends, usually as 2 trails instead of 1. You’ll get lots of cutting from this 1!

Propagation

Fishhook Senecios are easy to propagate by stem or leaf cuttings. I have that covered in this video – you can skip to the :44 second mark if that’s what you’re looking for.

Uses

This plant is best used in hanging baskets & wall pots. It’s great in mixed container plantings too but it does wander & hog real estate from other plants. I had some growing in a pot by my driveway & it traveled down the pot & pedestal & has meandered & rooted it’s way through the garden. You can see it in this post & video about my never ending succulent repotting job.

Good To Know

Fishhooks Senecio grows fast in the warmer weather & even faster if outdoors. As a year round houseplant, the growth will probably be moderate but still faster than other plants. As I said above, just be careful if you plant it in the same pot with other plants because it does tend to overtake other less vigorous plants.

If you want to grow this succulent as a houseplant all you need is nice bright light and to be stingy with the water. Whether you grow Fishhooks Senecio indoors or out, just make sure you give it room to trail!

Happy gardening,

Nell

This succulent also goes by Senecio radicans, String of Bananas & String Of Fishhooks. Confusing! I call it String Of Bananas because these plumper leaves look more like bananas to me. I’ve also seen it listed as Senecio radicans “glauca”. What do you call it???