The first step to planting is to know where to plant a banana tree at home. And that involves finding the right location with the correct conditions. It’s better to plan before you start planting.
Banana plants are popular for growing in tropical areas that receive warm temperatures throughout the year. They are long, elongated plants that have edible fruit. For this plant to be ready, it requires a good location.
So, can you plant a banana tree at home? It is possible to plant a banana tree at home if you live in an area with warm temperatures throughout the year. It can survive the winter, but for it to mature, the duration of cold temperatures should be short.
Factors to consider when choosing where to plant a banana tree at home
Choose a location that must be suitable for a small and mature plant. So to avoid any problems in the future, here are things you must look at when looking for a place to plant a banana tree at home.
Exposure to sunlight
When planting a banana tree, it should be in an area with access to direct sunlight. If an area receives more than 8 hours of sunlight, that will work better.
It can grow well in an area that receives 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily but will grow slowly. The best location should receive maximum sunlight.
Temperature and humidity
The area should have a humidity of at least 50% and remain constant. And the ideal temperatures should range between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius, with night temperatures not going lower than 20 degrees Celsius.
The temperatures and humidity should remain at that point throughout the year. Still, it can grow if the temperatures drop to a minimum of 14 degrees Celsius or rise to a maximum of 34 degrees Celsius. If the temperatures go above or below that, it will become dormant.
Soil with proper drainage
If you have found where to plant a banana tree at home, you should test the soil to ensure it is suitable. The best soil should be fertile and have good drainage. Bananas require a lot of water, but if the soil doesn’t drain excess water, it can lead to rotting.
To test for soil drainage, make a hole 1 ft deep, fill it with water and let it drain. Add water after it drains, then measure the amount of water left in the hole after 1 hour. If the water is approximately 7-15 cm, then it is the ideal soil to plant a banana tree at home.
Using a raised garden can help improve the drainage in the soil.
Space
Another thing to look at when you want to plant a banana at home is the amount of space between each plant. You should also consider the distance from patios, water, and sewer pipes.
You should place the plant 8 to 10-inches away from the patios, water, and sewer pipes. Plant them at a distance because the area around the pipes is always wet. That can encourage roots to grow around them or to them if it’s close to the pipe.
For other spacing requirements, use these measurements:
- Dwarf plant, 8 to 10’
- Semi-dwarf, 12 to 15’
- Standard plant 18 to 25’
- Miniature, 6’
Also, consider future spacing when giving the banana plant space. It can help you have enough space if you want to grow other crops that can’t grow near the banana. Keep the spacing between the plant at least 15 ft from trees and shrubs for accurate measurements.
How to plant a banana tree at home
Once you have found an ideal location to plant a banana tree, the next step is easy. There are only three steps to know how to plant a banana tree at home.
Choose a banana sucker.
A banana sucker is the planting material of a banana. You can find it from a small shoot at the base of a banana or purchase it from a plant nursery. If you are using a mature banana plant, place it in a hole its size.
When choosing a sucker, pick one 6 to 7 ft tall with thin leaves. A sucker with big round leaves is not ideal because it lacks nutrients. If you remove a sucker from a mother plant, forcefully cut it downwards using a shovel. Ensure you include attached roots and a rhizome.
Trim off any dead or infected plant parts of the plant, including the roots, and dispose of them. Don’t plant it if it is affected or discolored.
Dig a hole
Prepare the garden and remove all weeds from the plant site. Dig a hole that is 30 cm deep and 30 cm wide. If the plant is big, dig a deeper and a larger hole to support the plant.
Then place the plant sucker into the hole and cover it with soil. At the top, leave a notch of space to allow drainage (don’t fill the hole to the top).
Also, ensure the plant is upright, and the soil covers the roots and about 1-inch of the base plant. The soil covers the base to ensure it is upright.
Care for the plant
The plant requires water constantly, and it can be daily. Give it water in the evening or the morning before the sun rises. If there is rain, don’t give it water.
In the cold season, reduce the amount of water you give. Use your finger to test the soil’s moisture before watering it. Or purchase a moisture meter here to test it. This test will help you avoid overwatering.
Also, add fertilizer immediately after planting and monthly to ensure it has enough nutrients. Add about 0.25 to 0.5lbs per month for young plants and 1.5 to 2 lbs for adult plants. Skip adding fertilizer in the cold seasons.
Don’t forget about mulch. It can help prevent weeds’ growth, ensure optimum moisture content, and keep the soil temperatures warm. You can use compost materials such as dead leaves, yard waste, and wood ash.
FAQs
Are banana plants vulnerable to pests?
No. Banana plants are not vulnerable to pests. Pests such as aphids can attack your banana plants but won’t cause too much damage. Also, it’s easy to deal with pests.
Can I plant a banana tree indoors?
Yes, you can plant it indoors. You can use a pot or a raised bed to plant it indoors. Most people who don’t have big gardens prefer to place them indoors and plant them as a houseplant.
How far from the house should you plant a banana tree?
Since a banana tree grows into a tall plant, you should place it on a site at least 10 feet away from buildings, low power lines, and other trees. If it’s a dwarf plant, then you can plant it anywhere around the garden. You can also place it near a fence or wall to avoid wind problems.
How long will it take for a banana tree to grow?
The growing period for a fast banana tree is about 8 to 9 months. But, to get to its full height of 20 to 40 feet, it takes 9 months. At 6 months, it starts to develop crown leaves, and then a flower emerges at the top, leading to a large bud the top.
What is the lifespan of a banana?
A banana plant can last for 25 years because the mother plant keeps producing new shoots every season. So, you can cut one banana as the other continues to grow from the same plant.
