Botanical Name Musa spp. Common Names Banana, plantain tree Plant Type Herbaceous perennial flowering plant Mature Size Wide range of sizes: 'Truly Tiny' cultivar is only about 1.5 feet tall, while 'Cuban Red' can be up to 25 feet tall. Sun Exposure Full sun Soil Type Rich, well-drained soil. Salt is not tolerated. Soil pH Acidic ; 5.5 to 6.5 Harvest Time Summer Flower Color White flowers emerge from a purple bud Hardiness Zones Many cultivars grow best in Zones 9 through 10. One species, Musa basjoo , may survive outside as low as Zone 5 if mulched well. Other zones will find that the smaller cultivars make great houseplants. Native Area Southeast Asia

​The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

​The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

​The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

How to Grow a Banana Tree

Grow this plant in a location where it will be sheltered from the wind as it is very susceptible to damaged leaves. Banana plant leaves are huge—depending on the variety, they can be up to 2 feet wide and 9 feet long. Banana plants have a generally irregular shape.

Bananas form in late summer in a cluster called a hand. Not all forms are edible; some may be tasty but have large seeds making the ratio of edible fruit to seeds very small and not worth the effort. These late summer fruits begin to ripen the following March. When the fruit is green but plumped up, it is cut off the stalk and placed in a cool, dry space. Stalks can range in sizes from 2.5 feet to 12 feet long. Fruit colors can be yellow, pink, green, or red. The most common type that produces edible fruit is the Cavendish variety.

Light

Most types of bananas plants prefer full sun. Some variegated varieties can scorch easily and will do better in partial shade.

Soil

The soil should be well-drained, deep, and organically amended. Slightly acidic soil (5.5 to 6.5 pH) is preferred.

Water

Since banana trees are tropical and originate in rain forests, they need a lot of water and plenty of moisture in the air. They do best when planted in groups rather than as single specimens. Planting close together helps retain moisture in the leaves. Provide 1 or 2 inches of water weekly and check frequently to make certain the soil stays evenly moist. Avoid over-watering which can cause root rot. The soil should be moist but not soggy at all times, if possible.

Temperature and Humidity

Bananas thrive in warm, humid conditions, but protect plants against temperature extremes as much as possible. Even very hardy, cold tolerant banana plants like consistent temperatures ranging between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

When temperatures drop, growth slows down, and very cold temperatures cause plants to die back. To guard against temperature extremes, plant in sheltered locations. Provide more protection by bringing your plants indoors or winterize your plant when cold weather hits.

Fertilizer

Banana plants should also be fertilized. Use a balanced fertilizer once a month. Per the California Rare Fruit Growers organization:

"Spread the fertilizer evenly around the plant in a circle extending 4 to 8 feet from the trunk. Do not allow the fertilizer to come in contact with the trunk. Feed container plants on the same monthly schedule using about half the rate for outside plants."

These heavy feeders need ample amounts of organic matter such as green sand. Pay close attention to potassium levels. Bananas are filled with potassium, making this a necessary nutrient for good plant growth.

Propagating Banana Plants

These plants are monoecious—meaning the plant has both the male and female reproductive organs in the same individual plant. There also may be neutered flowers. Bananas are classified as a berry, and the fruit actually comes from the female flowers, which, strangely enough, develop without pollination. The seeds of bananas are not fertile.

The best method of propagation is division. To divide banana plants, separate the suckers or pups from the rhizome using a very sharp spade and quite a bit of strength. Before you do this, wait until the pups (or suckers) are at least 3 feet tall and have their own roots. Make sure there are several pups before you take any suckers off, so it does not unbalance the original plant. When dividing, make sure the suckers have plenty of roots to get a good start when replanted.

Once you separate the sucker from the parent plant, allow the surface of the rhizome section to dry for a day or so. At this point, it will be ready for replanting in any desired location.

Growing in Containers

Banana trees will grow in containers but need at least 15-gallon pots as the minimum size for optimum growth. When it is in a container, you can have complete control over the plant’s environment. You should be able to protect it better in cold and inclement weather.

These are very hungry and thirsty plants and you may find it difficult to keep up with the feeding and watering requirements when growing them in pots

Repot and divide container grown banana plants at least once every three years. Use a very high quality potting mix and make sure to fertilize regularly.

Pruning

Before the banana tree fruits, prune it so there is only one main stem. After it has been growing for 6 to 8 months, leave one sucker. This will replace the main stem in the next growing season. After the fruit is removed, cut the main stem down to 2.5 feet. Remove the rest of the stem in a few weeks, leaving the replacement sucker intact.

Growing Indoors

Because of the way banana plants grow, you can create a stunning, large, and very tropical indoor summer container display with a banana palm. Assuming you fertilize and water it often, the banana plant will grow extremely fast, filling in your bright corner or window in no time at all and providing a wonderful conversation piece. There is one drawback, however. Don’t expect to actually harvest any fruit. Unless you live in the tropics or have a large greenhouse, your plant won't have time to flower and develop fruit. Instead, focus on growing banana plants for their beautiful and signature foliage. When grown indoors, banana trees grow in full sun or dappled shade.

During the growth season, banana palms are prolific water hogs. Water the plant generously, and as it grows, expect it to consume more water. You may find yourself watering a large banana plant daily.

These plants thrive in warmer temperatures (up to 85 F). If you maintain the plant during winter, try to keep the temperature as warm as possible, with high ambient humidity. Also, use a loose, well-drained, very rich potting mix.