Can I grow a banana tree from a banana?

Yes, you can grow some bananas from seeds . Among the many wild banana cultivars that have seeds, Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana are two of the species worth trying to germinate. They are parents of certain cultivated types.

How long does it take to grow a banana tree?

Banana plants grow quickly and can reach their full height of 20-40 feet in only 9 months . After growing for about 6-8 months, the plant develops a nice crown of leaves. Then a flowering stem emerges from the top, and a large bud begins to develop.

How long does it take for a banana tree to bear fruit?

Time to Fruiting If you have a banana plant, you must have 10 to 15 months of growing for the plant to produce fruit. The exact time the plant takes to fruit will depend on various environmental conditions. If you give the plant prime conditions, it will likely produce fruit for you.

Where do you get banana seeds?

Banana seeds are typically found in the center of the banana . They are small and black and can be eaten raw or cooked. Banana seeds are safe to eat, but they are not always easy to chew. Some bananas have large seeds that can be difficult to digest.

Do you need two banana trees to produce fruit?

Banana trees self-pollinate, which means you don't need another tree nearby to help with fertilization . However, planting another tree nearby will increase your yield. Bananas are tropical fruits and grow best in warm, humid climates.

Are banana trees hard to grow?

Bananas are very easy to grow in any soil , do not generally require fertilizer and are not affected by any major insect or disease problems. Bananas do need to be planted in a spot that receives direct sun for at least half a day or more. These are large plants that require plenty of room to spread.

Where's the best place to plant a banana tree?

Your tree would love a sunny place with well-drained, fertile soil . But it will be quite satisfied with six to eight hours of sunlight. Good drainage is required to keep your trees “happy.” If your soil has high clay content, use our Coco-Fiber Potting Medium or add one-third peat to the soil at planting time.

Can a banana tree survive indoors?

Banana plants make a beautiful addition to any indoor space, but they can be finicky . The most common issues with indoor banana plants are not enough light, not enough water, too much water, not enough fertilizer, too much fertilizer, pests, and diseases.

Can you cut a banana tree and plant it?

Once cut, gently separate the roots of the parent plant and the banana plant pup . Try to get as much of the pup's roots as you can. Then simply plant this new pup in a container or in the ground. Your new banana plants may wilt a little for the first week or two but will usually recover.

How long does it take for a banana seed to grow into a tree?

It takes banana trees about 9 months to grow to full height, and only 12 months to bear their first fruit. On average, banana stalks last for about a year and a half to two years, but the plant that they stem from could last anywhere between 6 and 25 years.

Can a banana peel grow a tree?

How Does This Work? Banana peels contain lots of nutrients, including potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium—all of which are needed for good plant growth. Soaking the banana peels allows the nutrients to leech into the water, and once it hits the soil, the roots grab all those sweet, sweet minerals.

What happens if you plant a banana in your garden?

Banana peels contain: calcium, which promotes root growth helps add oxygen to your soil. magnesium, which assists with photosynthesis. sulphur, which helps plants develop strong roots and repel pests.

How to Grow Banana Trees (2024)

There are dozens of species and varieties of banana and plantain trees (Musa spp.). While these tropical fruiting plants, including the banana plant, are commonly referred to as trees, they’re technically huge herbaceous plants, meaning they don’t have a woody stem. Instead, they have fleshy, upright stalks from which large, oblong, bright green leaves grow. Showy flowers appear typically in the spring, giving way to the fleshy, elongated, green or yellow fruit.

No matter the size of your yard or home, there is a banana tree to fit. Plus, banana trees can make good indoor plants with enough light, though they typically don't bear fruit indoors. Banana trees generally have a fast growth rate and should be planted in the spring.

Common Names	Banana tree, plantain tree
Botanical Name	Musa spp.
Family	Musaceae
Plant Type	Herbaceous, perennial
Mature Size	2–30 ft. tall, 1–15 ft. wide (varies widely by species)
Sun Exposure	Full
Soil Type	Loamy, well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic
Bloom Time	Spring
Flower Color	White, purple, orange
Hardiness Zones	9–11 (USDA)
Native Area	Asia, Africa, Australia

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Watch Now: How to Grow and Care for a Banana Tree Plant

Banana Tree Care

While most species of banana trees grow best in warm climates, there also are somewhat cold-hardy banana trees. If you're planting the banana tree outdoors, choosing the right planting site is key to making care easy. Grow this plant in a location where it will be sheltered from strong winds, as it is very susceptible to damaged leaves. Prepare your planting site by mixing some fresh compost into the soil. And make sure you have enough space for the height and spread of your particular species.

During the growing season (spring to fall), banana trees are water hogs. You might have to water daily, especially during hot weather, to maintain adequate soil moisture. The plants also will need regular fertilization throughout the growing season. Bananas form in the late summer in a cluster called a hand. Once the fruit is green but plumped up, it can be cut off the stalk and placed in a cool, dry space to finish ripening.

Light

Most types of banana plants prefer to grow in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. However, some varieties can scorch easily and will do better in partial shade.

Soil

These plants love organically rich, deep soil with good drainage and a slightly acidic soil pH. They typically have poor tolerance for salt in the soil.

Water

Banana trees are tropical and originate in rainforests, so they need a lot of water and plenty of moisture in the air. They do best when planted in groups fairly close together, as this helps to retain moisture in the leaves. Water regularly to make sure the soil stays evenly moist but not soggy. Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

These plants thrive in warm, humid conditions, but they don't like temperature extremes. Even the hardy, cold-tolerant banana tree species prefer consistent temperatures ranging between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold temperatures and dry conditions can cause the plants to quickly die back. To increase the level of humidity, mist the leaves daily.

Fertilizer

Banana trees are heavy feeders. Apply a balanced fertilizer regularly throughout the growing season, following label instructions. Also, mix compost into the soil annually to raise the level of organic matter.

Types of Banana Trees

There are roughly 70 species and even more varieties of banana trees, including:

Musa acuminata: This species reaches around 12 to 20 feet tall and is often grown for its ornamental foliage thanks to its paddle-shaped leaves that can reach around 6 to 10 inches long.
Musa ornata: Commonly referred to as the flowering banana tree, this species is mostly grown for its ornamental value; its small fruit is not typically eaten.
Musa basjoo: Known as the Japanese banana, this species has fairly good cold tolerance and reaches around 6 to 14 feet tall.

Pruning

Before the banana tree fruits, prune it so there is only one main stem. After it has been growing for six to eight months, leave one sucker (small shoot at the base of the stem). 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 in a few weeks, leaving the replacement sucker intact.

Propagating Banana Trees

The best method of propagation is division. To divide banana plants, separate the suckers from the rhizome (horizontal underground stem) using a sharp spade. Before you do this, wait until the suckers are at least 3 feet tall and have their own roots. Once you separate a 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 appropriate location.

Potting and Repotting Banana Trees

Banana trees can grow in containers, but they generally will need at least a 15-gallon pot at minimum for optimal growth. Ensure that the pot has drainage holes, and use a loose, organically rich potting mix. A benefit to potting your banana tree is you will be able to bring it indoors to shelter it from cold and inclement weather. However, potted banana trees tend to have higher watering and feeding needs, as they will use up what is in their limited soil faster than banana trees in the ground. In addition, they likely won't reach their maximum size and might not bear fruit. Still, many people prefer them for their foliage. You typically will need to divide and repot container banana trees every three years, separating any suckers from the parent plant.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Owners of banana trees need to stay vigilant of the many pests and diseases that can afflict a banana tree. Pests include the following:

Aphid insects: These pests cause curled and shriveled foliage and can also transmit other diseases that will affect any fruit produced.
Black weevils: If you see jelly-like sap oozing from the plant, you may have black weevils that can be eliminated with pesticides.
Nematodes: This is the banana tree's most common pest that will rot the plant and fruit.
Sap-sucking insects: Small white mealybugs and red spider mites are also common to banana trees.
Scarring beetle: This pest invades bunches of the plant's fruit and can be eliminated with pesticide.
Tiny thrips: This pest will stain and split the peel of the plant's fruit.

There are many diseases common to banana trees in large orchards and are taken care of with commercial fungicides and pesticides. As for indoor potted banana trees, be on the lookout for root rot, leaf-spot disease, wilt, and powdery mildew.

FAQ

Are banana trees easy to care for?
Banana trees are easy to grow if they have optimal conditions (indoors or outdoors) to thrive. Giving your banana tree lots of water and light are the key to helping it grow strong.
How tall do dwarf banana trees grow?
A banana tree's height can grow quite large, so try the dwarf Cavendish banana, which grows 8 to 10 feet tall.
Can a banana tree grow indoors?
A banana tree, like the papaya plant, can make an excellent houseplant, just don't expect it to produce fruit as an indoor plant. To produce fruit, the plant needs tropical conditions outdoors. With the right conditions, a banana tree may bear fruit in around a year. Make sure you plant a type of banana tree that bears edible fruit, as not all types do.
Can I grow a banana tree from a banana?
Though you might find a few tiny "seeds" in a banana you buy from the grocery store, you can't grow a banana from those seeds. The commercially sold bananas are genetically altered so they do not produce seeds. If you find wild bananas with seeds, you might try growing a tree from those.