How To Grow Banana In A Pot - FREECYCLE

The first question that may come up in your mind is– Will banana tree in a pot can bear fruits?

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And the answer is yes. It is possible, a banana tree bears fruits in pot prolifically. It may take up to 3 to 5 years to fruit if grown from seeds.

Growing Banana Trees in Pots

Banana is a lush green, fast-growing plant that can give any place a tropical look and feel. Many varieties become excellent houseplants that don’t need much care and grow up very quickly.

Dwarf varieties of banana trees can grow anywhere between 2 to 4 meters. Compared to the ordinary banana trees that can reach up to 15 meters high.

Growing Banana Trees in Pots in Tropics

Growing banana tree in pot in a tropical climate is extremely easy, with little to no care banana tree grows in the container. If you’re living under USDA Zones 9 to 11, keep your banana tree in the shade in afternoon in summer, when the plant is young. All the other requirements are similar as given below in the article for temperate zones.

Banana Varieties you can Grow in Pots and Indoors

These dwarf varieties of banana tree restrict up to only 1.5 m to 4 m. (4 to 12 feet) tall and are suitable to grow in containers. You can also grow these banana varieties indoors.

• Dwarf Red
• Dwarf Cavendish
• Dwarf Brazilian
• Dwarf Jamaican
• Rajapuri
• Williams Hybrid
• Gran Nain
• Dwarf ‘Lady Finger’

If you would like to grow ornamental bananas check out these varieties:

• Ensete ventricosum
• Musa sikkimensis ‘Red Tiger’
• Musa ornata

Also read: How to grow lemon in Pots

Requirements for Growing Banana Trees in Pots

Sun

Banana trees grow in tropical and subtropical parts of the world and therefore they love full sun, heat and humidity. If you’re growing banana tree you should keep it in a spot that receives the sun most of the day but preferably sheltered from the wind.

Soil

Growing Banana tree requires well-draining soil, sandy soil that is rich in organic matters and compost. Buy a good quality potting mix for your banana tree. If you are making it at home make sure to mix sand, perlite, and compost or manure.

Banana needs slightly acidic to neutral soil to produce those potassium rich nutritious bananas. The soil pH should be around 6 – 7. If your soil is alkaline mix sulfur to decrease the pH.

Also Read: How to Change Soil pH

Watering

Banana loves moisture. Water it regularly and deeply but care not to overwater. In summer, water it every day. It may need water even two times a day in hot weather or when it is root bound. Soil for growing banana plants should be kept uniformly moist. Reduce watering in winter.

Banana Plant in Pot Care

Humidity

Banana plant prefers humidity levels above 50%. To increase humidity level around the plant, mist the plant and place it on a layer of pebbles in a tray filled with water.

Overwintering Banana Tree

Banana plants stop growing when the temperature drops below 50 ° Fahrenheit.

Before the onset of winter, do heavy mulching and prune the leaves.

Put it in a warm, bright room till the spring.

Fertilizer

Banana is a fast growing plant and it requires heavy feeding to grow at its full strength. Fertilize young plant when it establishes well with nitrogen-rich fertilizer to help it grow faster. Once your banana tree in pot becomes mature enough to produce fruit, fertilize it with 15:5:30 fertilizer regularly.

Pests and diseases

Bananas are quite resistant to diseases, still when you see the leaves turning brown and drying at the edges it means you’re overwatering and if the leaves turn yellow, banana plant is having a lack of nutrients.

Some pests that might attack banana plant are banana aphids, banana weevil, and coconut scale. These pests can easily be repelled using organic pesticides.

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Original article and pictures take http://www.freecycleusa.com/grow-banana-pot/ site