Banana trees are stunning additions to the garden. They can grow as much as 10 feet (3 m.) in a single season, and their imposing size and large leaves give a tropical, exotic look to your home. If you don’t actually live in the tropics, you’re going to have to find something to do with your tree once winter comes. Keep reading to learn more about how to keep a banana tree over winter.
Banana Plants in Winter
Temperatures below freezing will kill a banana’s leaves, and just a few degrees lower will kill the plant down to the ground. If your winters never get below the high 20s Fahrenheit (-6 to -1 C.), your tree’s roots may be able to survive outside to grow a new trunk in the spring. Any colder, though, and you’ll need to move it inside. The absolute easiest way to deal with banana plants in winter is simply to treat them as annuals. Since they grow so fast in a single season, you can plant a new tree in the spring and have a striking presence in your garden all summer. When fall comes, simply let it die and start the process over again next year. If you’re serious about keeping banana trees in winter, you’ll need to bring them indoors. Red banana plants are a popular choice for containers because they tend to be smaller. If you have a red banana that’s a manageable size, bring it inside before autumn temperatures start to drop and place it in as bright a window as you can find, and water it regularly. Even with good treatment, the plant will probably decline. It should survive until spring though.
Overwintering a Banana Tree Outside
Overwintering banana plants is a different story if they’re too big to fit inside. If this is the case, cut the plant down to 6 inches (15 cm.) above the ground and either apply a thick layer of mulch or store those in containers in a cool, dark place for the winter, watering it very minimally. You can also choose to leave the foliage on hardier types over winter. Give it a good watering in the spring to encourage new growth. It may not get as big as a plant that overwinters with its stem, but at least it will be alive for a new season. Hardy banana tree types will normally come back fine but may need pruning of any dead growth if it was left on.
-
Elegant Exotics: 8 Beautiful Amaryllis Varieties That Will Brighten Any Holiday DisplayWhether red, pink, white or variegated, the right amaryllis varieties can enhance any living space, especially during the holidays. We round up eight of the most exquisite
-
Forage For Herbs: 7 Tasty And Safe Wild Herbs To Pick Close To Your Own BackyardIn addition to growing your own herbal staples, did you know there are several wild options out there that are safe and tasty – and free? Try foraging these 7 wild herbs
-
Japanese Banana Plant – Caring For A Musa Basjoo Hardy Banana VarietyThe Japanese banana plant lends that tropical island flair to gardens as far north as zone 5. If that sounds too good to be true, read on!
-
Banana Tree Fruit Issues: Why Do Banana Trees Die After FruitingBanana trees not only are beautiful tropical specimens, but most of them bear edible banana tree fruit. If you have ever seen or grown banana plants then you may have noticed banana trees dying after bearing fruit. Click this article to learn more.
-
Growing Ornamental Bananas – How To Grow A Red Banana PlantThere are many types of banana which produce copious amounts of fruit. But did you know there are also various types of the ornamental red banana plant too, specifically grown for their attractive red foliage color? Learn more about them here.
-
Thai Banana Fruit – How To Grow Thai Banana TreesIn Thailand, bananas are everywhere and synonymous with the tropical region they thrive in. If you're yearning to introduce a more tropical look to your landscape, try growing Thai bananas. What are Thai bananas? Click here to find out about Thai banana care.
-
Common Diseases Of Banana: What Causes Black Spots On Banana FruitBanana plants are prone to a number of diseases, many of which result in black spots on banana fruit. What causes black spot disease in bananas and are there any methods for treating black spots on banana fruit? Click this article to learn more.
-
Banana Tree Problems: What Causes Bananas With Cracked SkinIt takes some work to grow bananas and, even so, they are susceptible to their share of diseases and other banana tree problems. One such issue is bananas with cracked skin. Why do bananas split on the bunch? Find out about banana fruit cracking here.
-
Fusarium Wilt Of Banana: Managing Of Fusarium Wilt In BananasAlso known as Panama disease, fusarium wilt of banana is difficult to control and severe infections are often deadly. Click on this article to learn more about banana fusarium wilt disease, including management and control.
-
Banana Plant Diseases And Pests: Troubleshooting Problems Affecting BananasBanana plant problems can derail a successful plantation, and any of the problems affecting bananas may afflict the home gardener as well, so it's important to learn to identify banana pests and diseases to nip them in the bud. Click here to learn more.
