Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Bananas are not true trees but giant herbaceous perennial plants arising from underground rhizomes (corms). Each "trunk" (pseudostem) fruits once and then dies, replaced by suckers (pups) from the corm. In zones 9–12, plant in the warmest, most sheltered location in deeply improved, rich, well-drained soil with pH 5.5–7.0. Bananas are among the heaviest feeders in horticulture — feed with a high-potassium fertilizer every 2–4 weeks during the growing season and incorporate generous compost or aged manure into the planting hole. Water abundantly and consistently — bananas require large volumes of water and wilt dramatically in drought. Pseudostems fruit in 9–15 months from planting; cut down the fruited stem immediately after harvest and allow 1–2 pups to replace it. In cooler climates, grow dwarf varieties in very large containers (100L+), overwinter above 10°C.