Actually not a tree but a herb
The banana plant is botanically not a tree but a perennial herb. Its trunk is made of tightly wrapped leaf sheaths rather than woody tissue.
Banana plant
Banana plant
Everything you need to know about the Banana Plant. Varieties, care, ideal location, and our XXL Banana Plant collection all in one place.
The most important thing in 30 seconds
- The Banana Plant or Musa originates from tropical Southeast Asia and is botanically a perennial herb, not a tree
- It loves a bright spot with several hours of direct sunlight per day for fast and full growth
- Water generously; the potting soil should remain evenly moist, especially during the growing season
- Pet-friendly and non-toxic, safe for dogs and cats at home
- Most species overwinter indoors; only the Musa Basjoo is winter-hardy with mulch protection
- Popular species include the edible Musa Acuminata, the winter-hardy Musa Basjoo, and the Musa Sikkimensis
About this Banana plant planting guide
Did you know?
Three facts about the Banana plant that you may not have known yet.
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Bananas were first cultivated in Papua New Guinea more than 10,000 years ago, making them one of the world's oldest agricultural crops.
Musa Basjoo is hardy
The Musa Basjoo survives northern European winters in open ground provided it is well mulched. Other banana plants must overwinter indoors.
Banana plant types and differences
Musa Acuminata
The classic edible banana plant with large fresh green leaves. The most common species for indoors, fast-growing and lush in shape.
Musa Basjoo
The hardy Japanese fibre banana. It survives northern European winters in open ground with good mulch protection, ideal for a tropical garden.
Musa Sikkimensis
A robust species from the Himalayas with bronze stripes on young leaves. Strong and graceful, it tolerates cooler conditions well.
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Banana plant care step by step
Follow these steps to keep your Banana plant healthy.
- 1
Watergift
Water the banana plant regularly so the compost stays evenly moist. During the growing season the plant drinks a lot, sometimes several times a week. Never let the top layer dry out completely, but also avoid standing water in the pot.
- 2
Light and location
Place the banana plant in a bright spot with a few hours of direct sun a day. The more light, the faster and fuller the growth. A spot by a south- or west-facing window is ideal. Too little light produces small, limp leaves.
- 3
Bemesting
The banana plant is a fast grower and a hungry one. Feed liquid plant food every one to two weeks from April to September. Stop feeding in autumn and winter, when the plant barely grows.
- 4
Verpotten
Repot the banana plant each spring into a pot one size larger, as its fast growth quickly fills the pot with roots. Use nutritious, free-draining houseplant compost.
- 5
Humidity and overwintering
The banana plant likes high humidity, so mist the leaves regularly. Most species must overwinter indoors in a bright, cooler spot. Only the Musa Basjoo can stay outside with good mulch protection.
Frequently asked questions about the Banana plant
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Banana plant.
How often should I water my banana plant?
A banana plant needs a lot of water. During the growing season water several times a week so the compost stays evenly moist. Never let the top layer dry out completely, but also avoid standing water in the pot.
Is the banana plant toxic to dogs and cats?
No, the banana plant is not toxic to dogs and cats. It is a pet-friendly plant you can safely keep indoors around pets. Nibbling on the leaves may cause mild stomach upset, though, simply because of the fibres.
What is the difference between Musa Acuminata and Musa Basjoo?
A Musa Acuminata is the classic edible banana plant and must overwinter indoors. The Musa Basjoo is a hardy fibre banana that survives northern European winters outdoors in open ground with good mulch protection.
How old can a banana plant get?
A banana plant lives on for a long time, even though the main stem dies after flowering. It keeps producing new shoots from the root, so a banana plant renews itself for years.
Why are my banana plant's leaves splitting?
A banana plant with split leaves is usually completely normal; it happens naturally through wind and the large leaf surface. The splits actually protect the plant from wind damage. Brown edges, however, point to air that is too dry or too little water.
Can a banana plant stand in the shade?
No, a banana plant does not do well in shade. It needs plenty of light and a few hours of direct sun a day. In too little light the leaves stay small and limp and the plant barely grows.
When should I repot my banana plant?
Repot a banana plant every spring, as its fast growth quickly fills the pot with roots. Choose a pot one size larger and use nutritious, free-draining houseplant compost.
Which size banana plant should I choose?
A banana plant of around a metre and a half gives an instant tropical feel and keeps growing fast. A two- to three-metre specimen fills a room straight away as a focal point. Bear the fast growth in mind when choosing a size.
Plant concepts explained
- Schijnstam
- The banana plant's trunk is not a true woody stem but consists of tightly rolled leaf sheaths. That is why the banana is botanically a herb, not a tree.
- Vezelbanaan
- A banana species grown not for its fruit but for its leaves and fibres. The hardy Musa Basjoo is the best-known fibre banana.
- Wortelscheut
- A new shoot the banana plant forms from its root. This is how the plant renews itself after the main stem has finished flowering.
- Mulchbescherming
- A thick layer of organic material around the base of the plant to protect the roots from frost. Essential to overwinter a Musa Basjoo outdoors.
- Overwinteren
- Getting a plant safely through winter. Most banana plants need to overwinter indoors in a bright, cooler spot.
- Meerjarig kruid
- A plant without a woody stem that lives for several years. The banana plant is botanically a perennial herb, not a tree.
Resources and further reading
-
Kew Gardens
Scientific description of Musa
-
International Trade Centre
Background on the banana as an agricultural crop
-
Wikipedia
Algemene encyclopedie-informatie
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