10 best banana tree plant varieties and essential plant care tips
Banana Tree Plant Varieties and Essential Plant Care
Bananas are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed in many different ways. They make a great food to grow at home to feed your family, and also to feed your pets! Banana tree plants can make good houseplants, and taller varieties make great privacy hedges. With a good understanding of how banana tree plant varieties grow and essential plant care needed, they will grow and expand over time with little effort. Depending on where you live, and the size space you have, there are different varieties of banana trees that could make a great addition to your backyard, small patio or balcony.
Banana trees are typically recommended to be grown in plant hardiness zones 9-11, which are regions with warm temperatures year-round. However, if you live in a more northern climate, there are still some possible solutions to grow banana trees at home. Make sure to choose the best variety for where you live and the space you have available, and seek out solutions like growing in containers or using a greenhouse.
If you’re interested in growing your own banana trees, here are some tips to help you get started.
1. Choose the Right Variety of Banana Tree
There are lots of different varieties of banana trees, and each has its own unique characteristics. Choose the right type of banana tree for where you live (plant hardiness zone) and location you plan to grow it in. Most banana trees grow best in more tropical locations but there are ways to grow banana trees in most places.
Some of the most popular varieties of banana trees include:
- Cavendish: this is the most commonly grown type of banana tree. It produces large, sweet bananas and can grow up to 30 feet tall. It is much more disease-resistant than other types of bananas making it a favorite for big agriculture farms and also home gardeners.
- Dwarf Cavendish: this is a smaller variety of the Cavendish banana tree, a great choice for those with limited space. This dwarf variety typically grows 6-8 feet tall and can be grown in a container on a patio and brought inside during winter months when needed. For colder climates, this variety can often be grown successfully in greenhouses due to the shorter height compared to the regular cavendish variety.
- Dwarf Namwah (aka Pisang Awak): a Lady Finger variety that grows to 5-9 feet tall, and is known for it’s most delicious fruit.
- Truly Tiny Banana: smallest variety grows anywhere from 4 ft to 7 ft tall depending on growing conditions (size container, amount of sun, nutrients in soil, etc). Grows best in zones 9-11. If growing in cooler areas grow in containers and bring inside during coldest winter months. Lots of sun is key to good growth and fruiting.
- Red Banana: this variety of banana has reddish-purple skins and and a sweet, creamy texture. They are smaller than regular Cavendish bananas and most often used in baking and as snacks.Red Banana trees typically grow to a height of 10-20 feet tall, and are generally considered to be a smaller variety of Cavendish and larger than the dwarf Cavendish
- Musa Basjoo (aka Japanese Snow Banana): a cold-tolerant variety that grows in zones 3-11, good in containers and can be grown indoors but can grow 12-14 feet tall (so you’ll need tall ceilings!). This is considered to be THE cold-hardiest of all the banana trees, so if you live in the north, this tree can survive temps as low as 0.
- Manzano: (aka “apple banana”): this is a
smaller variety than the regular Cavendish banana tree, and has a unique apple-like flavor to it, great for cooking and also as a fresh snack.
- Goldfinger: this is a hybrid variety of the Cavendish plus a wild banana tree found in Papua New Guinea. These bananas are yellow and medium-sized, with a sweet creamy flesh. This variety is resistant to the Panama disease that affected many Cavendish crops around the world.
- Blue Java: this fruit has a slightly blue tint before ripening, and has a unique vanilla-like flavor. This is a cold-hardy variety.
- Plantain: Plantains are a staple in Caribbean and Latin cooking, due to their prolific ability to grow with little effort in those regions. This type of banana is typically used for cooking rather than eaten raw because they are very starchy. These trees typically grow to 30 feet tall.
2. Planting Your Banana Tree
Once you’ve chosen your banana tree, it’s time to plant it. Here are some tips for planting your banana tree:
- Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
- Dig a hole that is twice the size of the root ball.
- Mix in some compost or other organic matter to help the soil retain moisture.
- Plant the tree so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
- Water the tree well after planting.
3. Caring For Your Banana Tree
Banana trees require a few basic things to thrive:
- Water: Banana trees need regular watering to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Water deeply once a week, or more often in hot weather.
- Fertilizer: Banana trees need regular feeding to grow and produce fruit. Use a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. If you prefer natural organic solutions vs. commercial fertilizers: add used coffee grounds to the top of the soil around the tree to add needed nitrogen, add compost and organic matter every couple of weeks.
- Pruning: As your banana tree grows, you’ll need to prune away any dead or damaged leaves. This will help the tree stay healthy and produce more fruit.
4. Common Challenges to growing Banana Trees
Growing banana trees can come with some challenges. Here are a few of the most common issues, and how to address them:
- Yellowing Leaves: If your banana tree’s leaves are turning yellow, it may be a sign of overwatering or underwatering. Adjust your watering schedule accordingly. Yellowing leaves can also indicate a need for added nutrients and/or fertilizer.
- Pests: Banana trees can be vulnerable to pests like aphids and spider mites. Use a mild insecticide to keep these pests at bay or use natural methods like washing away pests as needed with a strong hose, using neem oil.
- Disease: Banana trees can be susceptible to fungal diseases like Panama disease. Make sure to keep the area around your tree clean and free of debris. Overwatering soil that has poor drainage can lead to root rot. Make sure soil is healthy, till around tree, adding compost and healthy organic material regularly.
Faq: frequently asked questions about growing banana trees!
Q: How long does it take for a banana tree to produce fruit?
A: It can take anywhere from 9 to 18 months for a banana tree to produce fruit, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Once a banana tree bears fruit, it will die and produce new banana trees.
Q: How much space do banana trees need?
A: Banana trees can grow quite large, so they need a fair amount of space. Make sure to choose a spot where the tree will have room to grow. However, banana trees like to grow in groups and naturally grow close together. Grow several close together for good results as long as the soil remains healthy and full of needed nutrients, and water.
Q: Can banana trees survive in cold climates?
A: Banana trees prefer warm, tropical climates and can struggle in colder areas. However, there are some cold-hardy varieties available that can survive in cooler temperatures, like the Blue Java, or try to grow a Dwarf Cavendish in a large 18″ or larger container and bring it inside during cold winter months.
In conclusion, growing banana trees can be a fun and rewarding experience. By choosing the right type of tree, planting it in a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and providing it with regular care, you can enjoy delicious homegrown bananas within about a year. Plant several banana trees close to each other and within a couple of years, you can have a high producing, small banana tree plantation.
