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How to grow a banana tree

How to grow a banana tree

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Bananas are incredibly versatile fruits and particularly fun plants to look at. With large leaves that add a touch of the tropics to any backyard, they are also great for growing in the garden.

Banana trees (which are not technically trees, but herbaceous perennials) are wonderfully easy plants to grow. In the right conditions, they will produce an abundance of fruits for you to enjoy any way you like, or to share with friends and family. They need full sun, plenty of water, and regular feeding after planting in spring to grow to their full potential.

How to grow a banana tree (1)

Banana plant basics

Banana plants are members of the genus Musa, the plant family Musaceae. While they are commonly called banana trees due to their impressive size, they are actually not trees at all. Due to their fleshy stems, banana plants are technically herbaceous plantsโ€” considered one of the largest in the world.

To make matters even more confusing, banana fruits are also technically classified as berries. They may not look much like the typical berries we know and love, but botanically, they do have a similar structure.

Banana fruits didnโ€™t always look the way they do today. Modern banana plants come from two older species found in the wild โ€“  Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana (plantain). Although native to tropical areas around Southeast Asia and Australia, bananas are grown and farmed around the world for their fruits.

Due to their love of warm temperatures and high humidity, as well as their wonderful tropical foliage, banana trees have also become popular indoor plants. Although they are unlikely to produce fruit when grown indoors, they do make great leafy plants to fill empty corners.

hardy banana plant for sale at nursery

Banana tree varieties

You may want to grow banana trees that produce similar fruits to what you find in grocery stores. While this is certainly possible, you can also choose between a wide variety of banana trees with fruits you wonโ€™t be able to find elsewhere. The different varieties also have slightly different growth habits and characteristics, allowing you to choose the perfect type for your backyard.

Cavendish bananas are the most common fruits in grocery stores, widely available for growing too. For smaller gardens, Dwarf Cavendish is an ideal and easy-to-grow option. Lady Finger is another popular variety, slightly less common but considered to have a superior flavor.

For those looking for something a little more unique, there are even banana trees with different colored fruits. Red banana trees produce captivating maroon fruits that instantly turn heads. Or you can try Blue Java, a popular variety for growing in home gardens due to its cold resistance and tasty fruits said to taste like vanilla ice cream.

There are hundreds of different banana varieties to choose from, making it tough to find the perfect option. If youโ€™re struggling, itโ€™s best to head to your local nursery to see what they have available. Not only is this the easiest way to acquire your tree, but it also means that variety is more likely to grow successfully in your area.

young banana plant

Planting banana trees

Planting banana trees is not a tricky task. Once they have the perfect spot guaranteed to fuel quick growth and fruiting, there are a few simple steps to follow.

When is the best time to plant bananas?

Banana trees come from warm climates where they donโ€™t handle cold well. They do most of their growing during spring and summer when temperatures are high. That means the best time to plant banana trees is in early spring to make sure they settle into their new homes quickly.

Itโ€™s best to avoid extreme temperatures when planting to prevent unnecessary stress. Wait until all chances of frost have passed and the soil has warmed before planting in early spring. Similarly, avoid planting during the height of summer to avoid heat stress and extra watering.

Where should bananas be planted?

Most banana tree varieties grow quite large โ€“ some up to 20 feet tall. Dwarf varieties wonโ€™t grow that high, but still grow better when they have enough space to expand and arenโ€™t overcrowded. Leave around 10 feet of space between banana trees, making the gap slightly smaller if youโ€™re growing a dwarf variety.

Banana trees need a position in your garden that receives a full day of direct sun. They prefer as much sunlight as possible for the best fruiting. If you live in a very warm climate with intense sunlight they will be able to handle some partial afternoon shade, but generally grow best in full sun positions.

They also need to be planted in areas with well-draining soil. The roots need access to pockets of nutrients in solution. These adaptive plants can handle a wide range of soil types, but wonโ€™t grow well for long in waterlogged soil. As they like moisture, the soil should be amended with compost, but shouldnโ€™t be the texture of heavy clay that doesnโ€™t drain well.

How to plant bananas

To start planting your bananas, grab a shovel and dig a hole around double the size and width of the container your banana tree came in. This allows you to amend the soil directly in contact with the root system and provides enough space for the roots to expand in loose and friable soil.

Once youโ€™ve dug your hole, mix an equal amount of compost into the removed soil and place some of this mixture at the bottom of the hole, ready for planting.

Remove the banana tree from its container and lower it into the hole, keeping it at the same height as it was previously. Gently tease the roots to encourage them to grow outwards rather than around each other after planting. Water immediately after planting to saturate the roots and settle any air pockets.

banana bunches

Banana tree care

If youโ€™re not growing your banana trees in a climate similar to their native habitats, they can be considered needy plants. But, following some essential care steps, you should have no trouble keeping your banana plants alive.

Watering

Bananas are known for being thirsty plants. They need plenty of water, especially during the warm seasons of spring and summer when they do most of their growing.

If you live in an area with rainy summers, your banana trees will be incredibly happy. However, if your summers are on the drier side, expect to water often. This can be as much as once per day if temperatures are high. Regular watering is essential to avoid stress and ensure the strongest possible fruits.

Although they like moist soil, it should never be too wet or soggy. This can lead to rotting in the roots and stems which limits any chances of fruiting down the line. Water slowly and deeply, but make sure there is no water pooling around the base.

Fertilizing

Banana trees are considered heavy feeders, needing a regular dose of additional nutrients throughout the season. These nutrients fuel their rapid growth and allow the banana trees to grow and fruit to their full potential.

In spring and summer, itโ€™s best to fertilize your banana trees around once per month, depending on which products you are using. Soon after planting, a fertilizer slightly higher in nitrogen will promote leaf and stem growth, developing strong plants early on. Later, itโ€™s best to switch to a fertilizer with higher amounts of phosphorus and potassium to encourage fruiting.

Fertilizer should be applied evenly around the tree to reach all the roots. Donโ€™t apply any product right on the trunk as this can lead to damage that is tough to fix.

Growing banana trees indoors

If youโ€™re happy to grow a banana tree for its foliage rather than its fruit, they make great indoor, patio or balcony plants. For strong growth, they need a spot right in front of a sunny south-facing window where they can get as much direct sun throughout the day as possible. You will also need to water every few days to stop the container from drying out too quickly. Fertilize often and repot when your banana tree grows too large for its current container.

should you cut dead leaves off banana trees

How to prune banana trees

While banana trees donโ€™t seem like the type of plants that need regular pruning, this process does come with several benefits:

  • Protection against pest and disease damage.
  • Improving or managing growth.
  • Directing the energy toward certain types of growth.
  • Improving harvesting for following seasons.

Banana trees are pruned at the end of the season once all the fruits have been harvested. However, you can prune sooner if you notice growth problems or signs of pests and diseases.

To trim your banana tree, start by removing the older outer leaves and areas of damage. Then, either leave the inner leaves as is or cut back if itโ€™s the end of the season. Then, check the base of your banana tree for suckers โ€“ small versions of the main plant. Identify the strongest sucker and leave it, cutting back the rest of the plant to make way for new growth.

banana plants in the garden

Harvesting bananas

After about 9 months, you should see your first bunch of bananas, known as a hand. You can leave the fruits to ripen on the plant or bring them indoors to finish ripening. Leaving them does make them vulnerable to attack from bugs and birds, but this can be combatted by covering hands that are ready for harvest with plastic.

Once ripe, you can eat your bananas fresh (if youโ€™ve chosen a variety with fruits that can be eaten fresh), or get ready to use them in cooking. Classic banana bread is one of my favorite uses for these plants and is great for using an abundance of bananas that may be a little past their prime.


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