Showy flowers appear typically in the spring, giving way to fleshy, elongated, green or yellow fruit.
Bananas also make good houseplants, provided they get sufficient light although they rarely flower or bear fruit indoors.
They are generally fast-growing and as garden plants are planted in the spring.
However, the leaves of some varieties scorch easily and the plant will do better in partial shade.
Indoors, place them near a south- or west-facing window for maximum sun exposure.
Splitting Banana Tree Leaves
Are the leaves on your banana tree splitting?
They typically have a poor tolerance for salt in the soil.
Water regularly to verify the soil stays evenly moist but not soggy.
Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot.
Even the hardy, cold-tolerant banana tree species prefer consistent temperatures ranging between 75F and 95F.
Temperatures below 60F slow down the growth and frost causes the plants to die back to the ground.
The plants thrive in high humidity.
To increase the level of humidity, place a plant (or regular) humidifier nearby.
Fertilizer
Banana trees are heavy feeders.
Apply acomplete fertilizer such as 8-10-8monthly throughout the growing season, following label instructions.
Spread the fertilizer evenly around the plant, making sure that no fertilizer touches the base.
Also,mix compost into the soilevery year in the spring to increase the level of organic matter.
Fertilize potted banana plants monthly with a fertilizer diluted to half-strength.
This plant 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 after a few weeks, leaving the replacement sucker intact.
Propagating Banana Trees
The best method of propagating banana trees is by division.
Wait until the suckers are at least 12 inches tall and have developed their own roots.
Pruning Tip
Looking for the best pruners for your banana trees?
We tested 10top-rated prunersin our Lab to confirm your plants stay happy and healthy.
Banana trees need at least a 15-gallon container for optimal growth.
Ensure that the pot has large drainage holes, and use a loose, organically rich potting mix.
In addition, they likely won’t reach their maximum size and might not bear fruit.
Still, many people grow them for their foliage.
In banana plantations, they are frequently treated with commercial fungicides and pesticides.
Give your banana tree lots of water, light, and fertilizer.
Hybrid bananas are self-pollinating (parthenocarpic) so they don’t need pollinators to bear fruit.
Wild bananas, on the other hand, need to be pollinated by fruit bats.
In the right conditions outdoors, a banana tree may bear fruit in 15 to 18 months after planting.
The commercially sold bananas are genetically altered so they do not produce seeds.
If you findwild bananas with seeds, you might try growing a tree from those.
Banana trees are tropical plants, so they grow best in sunny, hot, humid climates.
Plant Science at the Dinner Table: Banana.
Michigan State University Extension.
