Learn How to Grow a Banana Tree in Cold Climate to transform your garden into Hawaiian Tropics with this post.
If you live in a place where even the winters are less than mild but you love the tropical style, you can still learn How to Grow a Banana Tree in a Cold Climate. Growing Bananas in cold zones was once thought of as a dream, but now you can grow the cold-hardy plants with enough space and the right growing conditions.
Botanical Name: Musa acuminata
USDA Zones: 4-11
Cold Hardy Banana Tree
Growing Banana trees in the cold can be slightly more challenging than in the warmer zones for obvious reasons. The cold-hardy bananas grow out of these small flowers with tiny yellow blooms and broad green leaves. It starts as bright green and turns yellow when the fruit ripens. Unfortunately, you should know that cold-hardy bananas are not edible fruits as the insides are dry and bitter.
Types of Banana Trees to Grow in Cold Climate
Some varieties of banana trees can grow well in colder temperatures.
Musa Basjoo
Also known as the Japanese Banana, it is one of the biggest types and the banana tree that can tolerate the coldest weather.
Dwarf Banana Musella or Lasiocarpa
With yellow, gigantic fruits in the shape of an artichoke, it is a relative of the banana tree.
Pink Banana or Musa Velutina
It is an early bloomer and is more likely to bear fruits faster. However, the fruits are not edible as they are too seedy and bitter.
How to Plant a Cold Hardy Banana Tree
Once you have purchased a cold hardy banana plant, you will have a mass of roots with a beginner plant called a sucker. Cold, hardy banana trees can be directly planted in your backyard or garden, in a big container on the patio, or indoors next to a sunny window.
- First, make a 3-4 feet wide and 2-3 feet deep hole in the ground or container where you want to grow the plant.
Plant the sucker in this hole and fill it up with quality soil. The soil needs to be half original potting mix suitable for bananas and half amended from aged manure. - Then, water the sucker generously and put a 3-5 inches thick layer of mulch around the plant.
Once the sucker starts growing, a pseudostem will also grow out of it. The actual stem will grow out of the center of the pseudostem and bloom yellow tiny, light yellow flowers. These small, cute blooms will turn into inedible bananas when fertilized. - When you notice the first leaf sprouting, you should know that the tree has taken root and needs less water.
The entire process of banana plant growth will take about 9-10 months. Like other banana trees, a cold-hardy banana tree can last 5-6 years.
Propagating Banana Trees
Division is considered to be the best way to propagate banana trees. To successfully divide the plants, follow these simple steps:
- Use a sharp blade to separate the suckers carefully from the Rhizome’s horizontal underground stem.
- Make sure the suckers are at least 3-4 feet tall and have an established root system before you start separating them.
- After the sucker is cut out from the guardian plant, let the cut portion of the rhizome dry out for 2-3 days. You can even consider using a rooting hormone to help it dry and callous over faster. Though, it is optional.
- Once the cut parts are dry, they are ready to be planted individually in any appropriate spot or container.
- Water thoroughly to keep the soil well moist but not soggy or waterlogged.
- Ensure the plant receives full, direct sunlight for 4-6 hours every day.
Growing Banana Tree in Cold Climate -Winter Care
- A banana tree tolerant towards colder temperatures and is planted outside is bound to enter a dormant phase during winter once the temperatures drop below 40°F or 4°C.
- Once that happens, use a sharp blade to cut the stem to a height of 18-25 inches above the ground.
Then, cover the stem with burlap or thick plastic. - Also, mulch the area around the roots to a thick layer of 2-3 feet. It will help regulate the temperature and offer a stable supply of nutrients.
- You can also put a chicken wire cage on the plant before mulching. It will make it easy to spot and remove in the spring.
- There is no need for sunlight or water during winter. Make sure to cover the plant well and do not water or feed during this dormant stage.
- Remember to unwrap the cover when the temperature rises over 40°F or 4°C.
- If the banana tree grows in a container outdoors, you can bring it indoors when the temperature falls.
Growing Requirements of Growing a Banana Tree in a Cold Climate
Location
Growing Banana trees in a colder climate needs direct and bright sunlight. So, pick a sunny spot in your home or yard to grow this tropical plant. Also, keep in mind to plant the banana tree away from other plants with larger foliage that can create shade for the banana plant.
You can also place the huge container with the banana tree on an uncovered patio or balcony or indoors next to a big, sunny window.
Soil
The best soil for banana cultivation is volcanic and alluvial. Banana Tree loves well-drained soil, rich salty and loamy, very fertile, deep, moisture-retentive, slightly acidic soil with a pH level of 6-7.5. Make sure the soil contains organic matter in abundance.
Even a good and balanced mix of perlite, vermiculite, and peat can work well for growing banana trees.
Water
Banana Trees need thorough watering 3-4 times every week, particularly during the warmer months when the plant is growing actively. If the tree is underwater, it can cause stunted growth.
Temperature
Besides the cold and hardy, some banana trees can tolerate colder climates, such as the Sikkim Banana and Chinese Yellow Banana. These unique species that can tolerate colder temperatures need a temperature range of not less than 20-30°F or -6 – -1°C and need to be moved indoors if the temperatures drop further.
However, these cold-hardy species can thrive well in the temperature range of 75-95°F or 23-35°C.
Humidity
These tropical plants love warm and humid growing conditions. Keep the levels maintained at 30-50 percent for optimum growth. In colder climates, it may get dry, so mist the plant 3-5 times every week to increase the humidity level. You can even consider installing a humidifier if the need be.
Banana Tree Care in Cold Climate
Fertilizer
Banana trees growing in colder climates need to be fertilized once every 2-4 weeks during the warmer months. You can use a water-soluble or organic fertilizer with an 8:10:10 (NPK) ratio.
Pruning
A banana plant may not need heavy pruning, but you may need to get rid of the dead leaves to help stimulate their growth. Clear away any dying leaves that you can find on the plant.
Pests & Diseases
Not many insects trouble the banana trees growing in the colder regions compared to those growing in Southeast Asia, Central America, Africa, and South America. However, these trees are prone to root rot, and thus, overwatering is a strict no-no. Also, watch out for Banana Aphids, common aphids, and moths that may attack the foliage. Choose a non-toxic regular insecticide to spray on the plants to eliminate these common pests.
Also, remember that the trees are also susceptible to harm from strong winds. So, keep that in mind and install some barriers to save them from any such damage.
Wildlife Threats
Fortunately, these trees do not provide edible fruits, and that is one major reason you do not need to concern yourself about insects or animals attacking the plant.
Banana Trees in Colder Climate Uses
These fruitless, cold-hardy banana tree varieties have been growing in Japan’s Ryukyu Islands since the 13th century. These plants are even grown for their ornamental beauty that adds to any space’s overall charm with a tropical touch when grown with Elephants ears and Canna. The fiber from the shoots is often used to weave textiles and make paper.
