These essential tips will help you successfully grow banana plants indoors as houseplants.
Banana plantsadd a tropical feelingto any room with their huge, shiny leaves.
However, dont expect a bunch of bananas to decorate your living room.
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When grown inside, banana plants hardly ever produce fruit.
However, not all bananas have yellow skin.
Blue Java bananas have a turquoise peel, while red bananas have a deep burgundy-colored peel.
In the wild, a banana tree can easily reach 20-40 feet high.
Their red or purple flowers eventually produce the bunches of bananas were used to seeing in grocery stores.
Shorter-Height Varieties
When growing a banana plant indoors, be conscious of the space you have.
Because they can grow tall, the classic Cavendish isnt a good choice.
Instead, look fordwarf varietiesof banana plants.
These will be the best choices for growing as houseplants.
The downside is that all Cavendish bananas are clones or genetic copies of each other.
That leaves themvulnerable to diseasesthat could spread quickly to all of them.
The best way to find a banana plant to grow indoors is to buy one from a reputable seller.
see to it the container has drainage holes.
Fill the container with fresh potting mix, but dont cover the stalks leafy layers with soil.
Light
Indigenous to tropical areas near the equator, banana plants need lots of sun.
Outside, bananas grow in full sun, says Costa Farms horticulturist Justin Hancock.
You want your plant to be able to cast a strong shadow most of the day.
Purchasing a grow lampwill help keep your banana plant healthy through the winter.
Water your banana plant indoors frequently enough tokeep the soil moist but not soggy.
If allowed to sit in water, this plant could get root rot.
Temperature and Humidity
Banana plants like it warm and wet.
They can grow outdoors inUSDA Zones 9-11 in the U.S.Banana plants indoors should be kept between 67F-90F.
Theyll stop growing in colder temperatures.
Banana plants grow the fastest in temperatures between 80F-95F.
With more water, banana plants can handle higher temperatures.
Plants should be protected from drafty areas and air vents.
Add humidity around the plant by situating the pot on a pebble tray or placing a plant humidifier nearby.
Fertilizer
Banana houseplants are frequent feeders.
Give yours ahealthy and frequent dose of fertilizer.
Aim to give your banana plant fertilizer once a month.
Spread an even amount of a balanced soluble fertilizer throughout the pot for best results.
Banana plants grow to the size of their environment.
The best time torepot a banana plantis in the spring before the active growing season starts.
Banana plants arent fussy plants that need to be repotted often.
They dont mind being a little root-bound.
As a rule of thumb, repot your banana plant every three years.
Pests and Problems
The most common problem with banana plants indoors is root rot from overwatering.
Never let your plant sit in water.
Occasionally, your banana plant may encounterleaf diseases like powdery mildew.
These can pop up when its too humid without enough airflow.
Cut off any affected leaves and let a fan gently blow over the leaves until the problem clears up.
Watch out for spider mites.
These tiny, nearly transparent pests usually hide on the underside of leaves.
Telltale signs are yellowish bumps and cottony webbing with little dots (the mites) on them.
To eliminate spider mites, use a mixture of one part rubbing alcohol and four parts water.
Wipe or spray the leaves of your plants with this mixture.
Dust, dirt, and debris will settle on your banana plants leaves over time.
A quick wipe-down will help keep the plant healthy and looking its best.
Run aclean, soft cloth over your plants leavesabout once a month.
Growflowering tropical plantsfor colorful blooms or, for more simplegreenery, fernsmake great indoor plants.
Add anorchid or twofor an exotic touch to your assortment.
