How do you grow a banana tree?

Affiliate Disclaimer

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

Bananas are one of the world’s most popular fruits, and their popularity only continues to grow.

It is estimated that over 100 million tons of bananas are produced every year.

However, how do you grow a banana tree? There are many steps to take before planting a banana tree in order for it to be successful and produce fruit. Here’s how to grow a banana tree indoors.

Banana trees can be grown outdoors in warm area or in containers to be brought into the home. The best way is to start with a small plant that has been commercially grown, although it is possible to grow from seeds. Bananas need well drained soil, warmth and lots of sun and water.

Table of Contents

Where can I get a young banana tree?

There are many places online that sell banana plants. You can also find them in some garden centers and stores.

Banana plants are often seasonal and you will normally only find them in garden centers in the summer months.

Amazon can be a good place to explore for banana plants as many plant specialists offer them for sale.

A good option is the ‘Double Mahoi‘ offer which gets you four young plants. You can find out more here.

Banana Plants “Double (Mahoi)” Includes Four (4) Plants

Mahoi means twins in Hawaiian. This banana plant is unique because it produces two large heads of fruit on the same plant and on rare occasions can produce three.

Includes 4 starter plants that are shipped in 2 inch tray pots and are 3-6 inches tall.
The banana plant (Musa) “Double/Mahoi” is a Dwarf plant that grows 5 to 7 feet tall. Mahoi means twins in Hawaiian. This banana plant is unique because it produces two large heads of fruit on the same plant and on rare occasions can produce three. The fruit is very sweet and tasty and should be considered among the best. The plant is a Dwarf Cavendish mutation, don’t mistake that for GMO.
Most all edible plants grow well in Full Sun, a little shade won’t hurt. I recommend starting your plants off in a pot for 4-7 weeks in area that receives a half day of partial sun to a half day of full sun. Banana Plants can be planted in most healthy soils with normal pH range 6.5-8.

Can I get banana seeds for planting?

Finding banana seeds is more difficult than finding young plants.

Many banana seeds are difficult to germinate and often don’t produce true to type which makes buying a young plant the more preferred option.

If you are intent on growing bananas from seeds then you could try your garden center or look online for specialist suppliers.

We did find one source of seeds on Amazon which you can see here.

Can you grow bananas from bananas?

No. It’s not possible to grow bananas from the bananas that you buy at the store.

Commercially produced bananas will not grow banana plants.

How to care for a banana tree

Banana plants will thrive in warm and humid areas, but should be protected from frost.

If your plant is outside make sure it has a warmer area to overwinter and protect it from strong winds. If you are keeping the plant indoors you can bring it into the greenhouse or conservatory for winter.

It is best to keep potted plants on a compost pile away from the house.

When you water make sure that the soil is well drained as too much water can cause your plant to rot.

It’s also important to keep an eye out for pests and treat any problems right away to stop them spreading to other plants in your greenhouse or conservatory.

The key thing to remember is that banana trees will not tolerate cold conditions.

Pot grown bananas are best as you can move them to warmer locations if the weather changes.

If your banana tree is growing outside and cold weather is forecast then you can protect your plant with blankets, mesh coverings and similar that will help to protect it from frost.

How long will it take for a banana tree to produce fruit?

This will depend on the conditions where the tree is growing and how old the tree was when you planted it.

Most banana trees will need 10 to 15 months of solid sunshine and warm weather to produce bananas.

##Does a banana tree need male or female plants?

You only need one banana tree as they are self-pollinating.

How do I care for my indoor banana tree

Indoor plants will need to be pruned regularly in order to stop them from becoming too tall.

Bananas reach a height of between 6 and 9 feet (2-3 meters) when they are grown outdoors, but can grow even higher indoors if they have the space.

This means that you will need to prune your plant on a regular basis to stop it from becoming too tall.

You will also have to be careful when you water because overwatering can cause the plant to rot. Make sure that the soil is well drained and use a pot with good drainage holes. To help prevent this from happening you can mix sand or perlite in with the soil.

Banana plants prefer warm temperatures and lots of sunshine so try to mimic this as best you can indoors.

They are tolerant of both shade and sun, making them suitable for growing indoors or out. If you grow them outdoors make sure that they have a warmer place to overwinter.

How to care for a banana plant outside

Banana plants prefer areas that are warm and humid. They will thrive in the tropics, but do need protection from frost. If you live further north then your climate may be too cold for bananas without some form of shelter.

If you decide to keep your banana tree outside make sure that your plant has lots of room to grow. It needs plenty of space for its roots and will need to be able to spread out.

You may also want to provide some shade or shelter if the temperature drops below freezing as any damage could cause your banana tree to die.

If you are growing a potted plant then you should keep it on a compost pile away from any walls or buildings. Anything that might hold in heat is a good idea for growing bananas outdoors.

Banana trees are susceptible to several pests and diseases, so make sure that you look after your plant properly if it’s outside.

It’s important to check the leaves of your banana tree regularly for signs of pests or disease, and prune out any damaged areas.