Like most other tropical plants, banana plants need extended exposure to direct sunlight for as long as possible. They also require a lot of water to keep their large leaves hydrated. Whether you are taking care of a banana plant indoors or outdoors it is important to keep them well fed and well watered.
Common banana trees or banana plants to grow and buy in the UK are of course the Musa Basjoo, Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ – Red Abyssinian Ethiopian banana, Musa lasiocarpa, Musa Sikkimensis and Musa Acuminata Dwarf Cavendish. Read below for grow guides and helpful tips for amazing growth!
- How to overwinter banana plants through the winter months
- GROW GUIDE: How to grow banana plants
- What Should I Plant with Musa Basjoo?
- Can you grow a banana plant indoors?
- Can you grow banana fruit in a UK garden?
Musa basjoo – Japanese Banana
How much light do banana plants need?
All species of the tropical banana plant like to grow in bright sunlight, so plant in a sunny spot. If you’re growing banana plants outside like the Musa Basjoo, then plant somewhere that gets sun for as long as possible. Although a lot of growing guides will say part shade, we get so little long days of bright sunlight here in the UK you’re not going to upset the plant! I’ve always had mine in the sunniest spot and it as long as it’s getting lots of water and feed they are quite happy. If you’re growing banana plants indoors, it becomes a bit more of an issue as you want the most light you have.
What kind of soil do banana plants need?
Banana plants need a lot of nutrients to be healthy and thrive best in organically rich soil. The most ideal type of soil to plant a banana tree is soil that is rich in nutrients and has good drainage. If you are unable to access organically rich soil for your banana plant then you can supplement by adding organic mulch to the soil to help it retain moisture. On all my Musa Basjoo outside, I will rake in a a few bags of organic manure early in the growing season. Banana plants will eat anything you throw at them. Blood, fish and bone is a common food that gives impressive results. Don’t skimp on food and water for Basjoo and they will not disappoint.
How much water do banana plants need?
Banana plants are of tropical origin so they exist in a lot of heat which means that they require a high amount of water to stay hydrated. Banana plants thrive in groups that is why you see them in plantations because being close to each other helps them to retain moisture in their leaves. Growing Musa Basjoo outside? You’re unlikely to be able to give it enough water or food no matter how hard you try. They are always hungry, and always thirsty.
How do I over winter banana plants?
If the Musa Basjoo is small (1.5m or less), personally I like to dig them up and leave in the poly tunnel over winter. You can put it somewhere frost free without an issue. If it’s much larger, you have the option of wrapping with fleece / straw etc, which I have written about in depth here: To learn how to care for banana plants through winter have a look here.
What kind of banana plant should I grow in my garden?
I’d always recommend you start with Musa Basjoo, it’ll give you the best bang for your buck, with the least amount of effort. Have a look at some of the many types of banana plants here
