Did you know… the banana plant is expected to have originated some 10,000 years ago? It is even suspected that this plant produced the world’s first fruit. On this page you will find all information on Banana plant care. Follow these Banana plant care guidelines and help your live a long and healthy life.
The Musa is also known as banana plant or banana tree. The plant is native to Southeast Asia and Australia, but today the banana tree is grown in many tropical places. There are about 400 varieties, but in the average living room you will almost always find one of the following two varieties: the Musa tropicana or the Musa acuminata Dwarf Cavendish. These plants are relatively small in stature and are therefore also known as Musa Dwarf. In contrast to the average houseplant, the Dwarf Banana Tree is not small at all. With proper care, this species can reach a height of up to 2 meters.
The Banana plant is not too difficult to care for. The main thing to keep in mind is that the potting soil should never dry up. Read on for all plant care tips.
Banana plant light requirements
Place the banana plant in a light or sunny spot. During winter you can place the plant in direct sunlight, but during summer it’s best to move the Musa to a spot with filtered sunlight. When you’d like to place the Musa in direct sunlight during winter, it’s best to allow the plant to get used to it. Gradually place the plant closer to the window over the course of a few weeks.
If the leaves are turning yellow, this could mean that the Banana plant is receiving too much light. It could also mean that it needs water. First check the potting soil to see if it’s moist. If that’s the case, then the yellowing leaves are most likely caused by too much (sun)light. We then recommend moving the Musa a bit further away from the window.
If the leaves are drooping down, it could mean that the plant is not receiving enough light. But, once again, this could also be attributed to a lack of water. Check the potting soil before moving the plant closer to the window.
During summer you could also place the banana plant outdoors. If you have potted the banana tree in a pot without a drainage hole, make sure it has some type of shelter, whether it’s a roof on your porch or anything of the sort. Whilst rainwater is healthy for plants, too much of it can be fatal.
Banana plant water care
The banana plant consists of 80% water and will therefore need regular watering. Make sure the potting soil is always moist, by regularly giving the Banana plant small amounts of water. Never give a large amount of water in one go, and make sure there’s never a layer of excess water at the bottom of the pot. The plant needs more water during spring and summer, as compared to autumn and winter.
Given its tropical origin, the banana plant requires high humidity. Regularly mist the plant using a plant sprayer, especially during winter. This has to do with the fact that the heating significantly lowers the humidity. It’s best to mist the plant with lime-free water or rainwater. You could also place it outside for a bit during a summer shower.
Repotting tips
The banana plant is a fast grower that should be repotted once every year. Do this during spring, when the plant recovers fastest from repotting. Be careful not to damage the roots too much when repotting. Use a pot that is at least 20% larger than the current pot, allowing the roots plenty of room to grow. We recommend placing a layer of hydro granules at the bottom of the pot when repotting. That way, it won’t matter if you overwater the plant, as the hydro granules provide drainage.
Fertilizer requirements
Once you receive the Musa, it will not need any fertilizer during the first 2 months. There’s enough fertilizer in the fresh potting soil to last the plant 2 months. After this you’ll only need apply fertilizer during spring and summer. For the specific amount of plant food, have a look at the instructions on the packaging and never use more than recommended. This can cause damage to the roots. The plant doesn’t need any fertilizer during fall and winter.
Is my Banana tree poisonous?
All outdoor and indoor plants on Plantler have a decorative purpose; they’re not fit for consumption – unless it is explicitly stated that they are. The banana tree is generally not known to be a poisonous plant.
Particularities
Brown leaf edges:
The lower leaves of the banana plant will eventually develop brown edges. This is part of the natural process and nothing to worry about. You can simply cut these edges to maintain their ornamental value. In time, the lower leaves will die completely. Cut this leaf stem about 5 centimeters above the trunk. These 5 centimeters will then slowly shrink, after which you can easily remove them.
It is important not to cut the leaf stems right at the trunk! When you cut a stem, it becomes susceptible to diseases. If you cut the stem 5 cm above the trunk, only this small part could become infected. And because the plant sheds this remaining 5 cm, it cannot become infected itself.
