Growing bananas in pots is very easy and accessible to everyone. And the result is spectacular, because even if we do not achieve large harvests, we will have a decorative shrub with large leaves that spreads tropical air everywhere. Learn how to plant and care for them in this step-by-step article.
It doesn’t matter if you live in a tropical climate, you can grow and care for your bananas in pots yourself . If you start growing the normal variety, the banana tree can reach a height of 10 to 15 meters, but if you have a dwarf banana, it will not reach more than 3 meters in height.
Banana tree varieties to grow in pots.
These dwarf banana species only measure 1.5 m to 3 m . (4 to 12 feet) tall and suitable for growing in containers. You can also grow these banana varieties indoors.
- red dwarf
- Dwarf Cavendish
- brazilian dwarf
- Jamaican dwarf
- Rajapuri
- hybrid williams
- Grand Nain
- Dwarf “Lady Finger”
If you want to grow ornamental bananas, check out these varieties:
- enset ventrikosum
- Musa sikkimensis “red tiger”
- ornate muse
Soil requirements for growing bananas in pots.
- Banana plants need sandy , well-drained soil that is very fertile and rich in organic matter.
- Enrich the soil with organic or natural compost.
- It is recommended to use good quality commercial pots instead of garden pots.
- But don’t buy normal heavy pots, instead choose cactus or palm flower pots, which are a great choice for containerized bananas.
- To make homemade potting soil, mix equal amounts of sand, perlite or vermiculite and compost or manure.
- Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0. To balance the pH, use sulfur to lower the pH.
- The banana plant prefers slightly sour to neutral to produce flavorful bananas.
Climate suitable for growing bananas in pots.
- Banana plants generally need warm subtropical or tropical climates to thrive. Banana plants can tolerate extreme heat with the right amount of water.
- Bananas can tolerate cold for a short time , but when the temperature drops below 14°C, the tree stops growing.
- In cool regions, as temperatures drop, the leaves turn yellow and the fruit skin turns gray.
- The banana tree in the containers can die at any time, in winter it is better to take the containers home.
- The ideal temperatures for growing bananas in pots are 26°C to 30°C.
Humidity for potted bananas.
The banana tree prefers humidity of more than 50% . To keep humidity all around the plant, mist the plant and place it in a container filled with water on a layer of pebbles.
The right pot size.
- Bananas need a wide, deep container to grow in.
- Choose a medium-sized container with a hole for growing bananas in containers.
- The ideal container size for bananas is 6 to 8 inches deep and 5 inches wide.
- Remember that the depth that is going to be made plays a crucial role, because the banana roots need a good place to grow.
- The container can be ceramic, plastic , metal or a wooden pot. The use of clay pots is strongly recommended.
- Bananas can be transplanted after 1 to 3 years.
Irrigation.
- Banana likes humidity. Water regularly and deeply, but be careful not to overwater.
- Water every day in summer. In hot weather or with root attachment, it may even need to be watered twice a day. The soil for growing banana plants should be kept uniformly moist. Reduce watering in winter.
Fertilizer.
- Use fertilizers rich in magnesium, potassium and nitrogen.
- Use a water-soluble fertilizer or sprinkle granular fertilizer on the soil without touching the main stem.
- Fertilize the young plant , if it is well established, with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to help it grow faster.
- Once your potted banana tree is mature enough to produce fruit, fertilize it regularly with NPK fertilizer: .
Plagues and diseases.
- Bananas are quite disease resistant, although if the leaves turn brown and dry at the edges, all this means you are watering too much and if the leaves turn yellow, the banana tree is lacking nutrients.
- Some pests that could infect the banana plant are aphids, banana weevils , and coconut mealybug. These pests can be easily repelled with organic pesticides.
Thank you for reading this article, we are sure that now you will be able to grow the banana tree that you so dreamed of having at home.