Curio radicans aka Creeping Berry

Curio radicans thrives in bright, indirect light. An east or west-facing window works well, and it can tolerate some direct morning sun. Avoid intense afternoon sun which can scorch the leaves, causing brown tips. Insufficient light leads to sparse, stretched growth with thin leaves and upward-reaching stems instead of the typical trailing habit. If leaves are small and growth is slow, move the plant to a brighter location.

Curio radicans prefers warm temperatures between 21-27°C (70-80°F) during the growing season. It can tolerate temperatures down to around 0°C (32°F) briefly but is not frost-hardy and should be brought indoors if temperatures drop below freezing. In summer, it can handle temperatures up to 43°C (110°F). Protect from cold drafts in winter and avoid placing near heating vents which can dry out the foliage.

Curio radicans is a fast-growing trailing succulent with stems reaching up to 90 cm (3 feet) long indoors, potentially longer in ideal outdoor conditions. The plant spreads about 30 cm (12 inches) wide. Individual banana-shaped leaves grow 2-3 cm long with a diameter of about 6mm. Growth is rapid during spring and summer, slowing significantly in winter. The trailing stems make it ideal for hanging baskets where the cascading foliage can be displayed to full effect.

Curio radicans can grow outdoors year-round only in USDA zones 10-11 where temperatures stay above freezing. In cooler climates, it can be grown outdoors in summer and brought inside when temperatures drop below 10°C (50°F). Plant in partial shade outdoors as intense sun will burn the leaves. It works well as a ground cover in frost-free areas or in outdoor container gardens that can be moved inside for winter.

Curio radicans is remarkably easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Cut a healthy stem 5-15 cm long with several leaves, let the cut end dry for a day to callous over, then place on moist succulent soil or insert slightly into the mix. Alternatively, coil a long trailing stem directly onto soil in a new pot while still attached to the parent plant. Roots develop within 3-6 weeks. Water propagation also works well—place cuttings in water with nodes submerged, changing water weekly until roots reach 5-7 cm long.

Curio radicans rarely needs pruning as it naturally maintains an attractive trailing form. However, you can prune to control length or encourage bushier growth—cutting a stem in half will cause two new vines to grow from the cut point. Prune in spring or early summer during active growth. Use clean, sharp scissors sanitized with rubbing alcohol. Remove any dead, yellowed, or shriveled stems to redirect the plant's energy to healthy growth. Cuttings can be used for propagation.

Repot Curio radicans every 2-3 years in spring or summer. This plant prefers being slightly root-bound, so only go up one pot size when repotting. Choose a shallow pot with drainage holes—avoid deep containers that retain excess moisture. Use a well-draining succulent mix. When repotting, position the crown no more than 2.5 cm below the pot rim to prevent stem rot. Handle carefully as leaves may fall off during the process, though the plant recovers quickly.

Gently dust Curio radicans with a soft brush or blow off debris with a gentle stream of air. The trailing stems with their many small leaves can accumulate dust which both affects appearance and reduces photosynthesis. Avoid wiping with wet cloths as excess moisture on succulent leaves can cause rot. You can give the plant an occasional light shower in the sink, but ensure it drains completely and dries quickly afterward. Keeping leaves clean also helps prevent pest infestations.

The flowers of Curio radicans produce a pleasant cinnamon or clove-like fragrance when they bloom. This sweet, spicy scent is most noticeable in late winter to early spring when the small white or pale pink flowers appear. The foliage itself has no particular scent. The fragrant flowers attract pollinators when grown outdoors. Not all plants bloom reliably indoors, as flowering typically requires bright light conditions.

The standard Curio radicans has glossy green, banana-shaped leaves with translucent 'windows' along the sides. While variegated forms are not widely documented for this specific species, the related Curio rowleyanus (String of Pearls) has a popular variegated cultivar. String of Bananas is sometimes confused with Curio hallianus (String of Fishhooks) which has similar but more curved leaves. For variegated trailing succulents, look for C. rowleyanus 'Variegatus' or the hybrid C. × peregrinus (String of Dolphins).

Yellow leaves on Curio radicans typically indicate overwatering. When soil stays wet too long, roots cannot access oxygen and begin to rot, causing leaves to turn yellow and stems to become mushy. Check that your pot has drainage holes and the soil dries out between waterings. Reduce watering frequency, especially in winter. Pests like aphids and mealybugs can also cause yellowing by sucking sap from leaves. Inspect closely and treat with neem oil or rubbing alcohol if pests are found.

Brown leaves or tips on Curio radicans are usually caused by too much direct sunlight (sunburn) or underwatering. Sunburn appears as crispy brown patches, especially on leaves facing a window. Move the plant to a spot with bright but indirect light. Brown, shriveled leaves indicate the plant needs water—the bananas will wrinkle before turning brown when too dry. Water thoroughly when the top half of soil is dry. Extremely dry air can also cause brown leaf tips.

Drooping in Curio radicans can signal either underwatering or overwatering. Check the soil—if dry, water thoroughly and the plant should recover within a day or two. If soil is wet and stems feel soft or mushy, overwatering is the cause and root rot may be developing. Remove the plant from wet soil, trim any rotted roots, and repot in fresh dry mix. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can also cause temporary drooping. Ensure the plant is in bright indirect light between 21-27°C (70-80°F).

Slow growth in Curio radicans is most commonly caused by insufficient light. Move the plant to a brighter location with more indirect sunlight. Cool temperatures also slow growth—this plant grows most actively in warm conditions. During winter, growth naturally slows regardless of care. Other causes include being severely rootbound (repot if roots are circling), poor soil drainage, or lack of nutrients (fertilize lightly in spring and summer). If stems are reaching upward rather than trailing, that's another sign of inadequate light.

Common pests include mealybugs (white cottony masses), aphids (small insects on new growth), spider mites (tiny dots with fine webbing), and scale (brown bumps on stems). Treat infestations by dabbing with rubbing alcohol, spraying with neem oil, or using insecticidal soap. Root rot is the main disease, caused by overwatering—symptoms include mushy stems and a foul smell from soil. Prevent by using well-draining soil and allowing it to dry between waterings. Fungal issues are rare if humidity is kept moderate.