Banana plant care

Hardy banana plants are known for giving a beautiful tropical look to the Dutch garden or room. That is why it is attractive to purchase such a great banana plant. But what about banana plant care? In this article we try to explain as clearly and extensively as possible how a banana plant should be cared for.

Banana plants are heavy drinkers

Plants generally consist mainly of water, and an average banana plant consists of no less than 80% water! So it is not surprising that it also likes an extra sip in sunny conditions. It wants much more water in the summer than in the winter, and it wants it every day, while in the winter it only needs water once a week. But it is important that it does not get too much water, because that can be harmful to the roots. So make sure that it gets as much water as the soil can absorb. And of course that also depends on the size of the pot and the amount of soil around the roots. It is a sign of receiving too little water when the leaves hang limp. Then it is time to water again, and as much as possible within the absorption capacity of the soil.

Spraying

Banana plants originally grow in the tropics, where it is very humid. The plant is used to this and becomes healthy from it. We therefore recommend spraying the banana plant regularly. Then it will feel at home in the tropics, and it will become extra strong. Also spray the undersides of the leaves. This prevents vermin. This plant also likes a tropical rain shower. So give it a 'rain shower' regularly with the spray head. This also prevents dust from sticking to the leaves, and it also gets rid of vermin.

Banana plant place

The banana plant can be grown in the garden as well as in a room, but it does require a lot of sunlight. So make sure it gets a spot where the sun can shine, which applies to both the garden and the room. The best place is a spot where there is no draft and little wind. A greenhouse is also a good place for this plant, because it is used to the warm, humid tropics. If you move the banana plant from indoors to outdoors during the day, or from dark to light, let it get used to an environment with slightly less sunlight for a while. The direct transition from dark to light can damage the plant.

Repotting the banana plant

Repotting the banana plant should be done immediately after purchase, and then mainly in the spring. Spring is preferred because the roots recover best then, and then the plant is ready for growth during the summer. This plant grows very quickly, and that is why it is good to repot it every year. Within a few years, some species (Musa Basjoo) easily grow to more than 6 meters high! The banana plant does well with universal potting soil, and also with Mediterranean potting soil. You should not use hydro grains, because they cause an excess of moisture collection that can rot the sensitive roots. Soil alone is sufficient. We recommend using a large planter for the banana plant. The larger the better, for health, water buffer and growth capacity.

Banana plant nutrition – what does it need?

Banana plants are fast growers and therefore need a lot of nutrition compared to slower growers. Without this nutrition, the plant cannot grow well. We recommend feeding the plant with houseplant food. Read the packaging of the houseplant food for the correct dosage. We recommend never using too much, as this can be harmful. We only recommend this during the growth periods. The plant comes to rest in the winter, so feeding is not necessary.

Banana Plant Disease - Symptoms and Solutions

When the leaves become ugly, this can be caused by all sorts of reasons, or several reasons together. The most common reasons are: The plant receives too much water, or too little water - The plant has a lack of nutrients - The humidity is too low (e.g. in a heated room)

Too much water, or too little water

If you stick your finger a few centimetres into the soil, you can feel whether the soil is too dry or too wet. If it is too wet, we advise you to find a solution to make the soil drier. This can be done by drilling holes in the bottom of the pot, so that the soil can leak. Or by replacing part of the soil with dry soil, as a stopgap solution.

Lack of nutrients

In some cases you can assume that the plant has a shortage of nutrients. This applies when you have used old soil for the plant that has already been used by other plants, or when you have used poor soil, such as coconut soil. Coconut soil is not suitable for the banana plant. And if you have never given extra nutrition, it is likely that the plant is undernourished, depending also on the size of the plant. A large plant needs more nutrition than a small one.

Too low humidity

You can assume that the humidity has to do with the condition of your banana plant if it is in a heated room, or in a room with air purification/air conditioning. The plant likes humid environments, so you will have to move it, or turn the plant off.

Propagating the Banana Plant - Is it Possible and How?

Banana plants are 'rhizome forming'. This means that small shoots grow above the ground around the plant that create their own roots. This usually happens when the 'mother plant' has reached a certain root ball size. When the shoot has reached a height of about 30cm it can be 'cut off' and potted in its own soil. This will then become a full-fledged banana plant, under good conditions.