Growing a banana plant indoors probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when considering adding greenery to your home. Elephant ears, monsteras, or snake plants might already have a spot in your house and heart, but there's always room for more.
Banana plants add a tropical feeling to any room with their huge, shiny leaves. However, don't expect a bunch of bananas to decorate your living room. When grown inside, banana plants hardly ever produce fruit. So get a big planter and make some room because a banana will be your new favorite addition to your houseplant collection.
Best Banana Varieties to Grow Indoors
You're probably most familiar with the Cavendish variety, which is the type of banana sold in supermarkets across America. Its classic yellow fruit is heart-healthy and what we use as a smoothie mix-in. 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 we're used to seeing in grocery stores.
When growing a banana plant indoors, be conscious of the space you have. Because they can grow so tall, the classic Cavendish isn't a good choice. Instead, look for dwarf varieties of banana plants. These will be the best choice for growing as a houseplant.
- Dwarf Cavendish (Tropicana) grows 8-10 feet tall.
- Dwarf Red grows 6 feet tall.
- Veranda grows up to 10 feet tall.
If you're thinking of growing a banana plant indoors from a store-bought fruit, note that these bananas have been bred to be seedless. Otherwise, bananas would be practically inedible because of the large, hard seeds that grow in the fruit. The downside is that all Cavendish bananas are clones or genetic copies of each other. That leaves them all vulnerable to diseases that could spread quickly to all of them. The best way to grow a banana plant indoors is to buy one from a reputable seller.
How to Grow a Banana Plant Indoors
Potting
Give your banana a pot that is about twice the size of the root system of the plant. Make sure your container has drainage holes. Fill the container with fresh potting mix. Don't cover the leafy layers of the stalk 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. "So indoors, you want to give them as much light as you can, whether that's natural light, artificial light, or a mix of both. You want your plant to be able to cast the strong shadow most of the day." Purchasing a growing lamp will help keep your banana plant healthy through the winter.
"Banana plants do best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, meaning they need to be placed close to a south- or west-facing window," Bloomscape gardening expert Lindsay Pangborn says.
Temperature and Humidity
Banana plants like it warm and wet. They can grow in Zones 9-11 in the United States. Banana plants indoors should be kept between 67-90℉. They'll stop growing in colder temperatures. Banana plants grow the fastest in temperatures between 80-95℉. With more water, banana plants can handle higher temperatures, but they prefer not to.
Pangborn says, "Native to humid environments, your banana plant may show signs of stress if the air is too dry in your home. Protect plants from drafty areas and air vents, and add humidity with a pebble tray or a humidifier placed nearby."
Water
Water your banana plant indoors frequently enough to keep the soil constantly moist but not soggy. If allowed to sit in water, this plant could get root rot.
Fertilizer
Banana houseplants are frequent feeders. Give yours a healthy 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.
Repotting
The larger you want your banana plant to grow, the bigger the pot you should give it. Banana plants grow to the size of their environment. The best time to repot a banana plant is in the spring before the active growing season starts. Banana plants aren't fussy plants that need to be repotted often. They don't 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. Make sure you never let your plant sit in water. Occasionally, your banana plant may encounter a few leaf diseases like powdery mildew. These can pop up when it's 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 out on the underside of leaves. Telltale signs are yellowish bumps and cottony webbing with little dots (the mites) on them. To get rid of spider mites, use a mixture of 1 part rubbing alcohol to 4 parts water (for example, a 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol to 2 cups of water). Wipe or spray the leaves of your plants with this mixture.
Dust, dirt, and debris will settle on your banana plant's leaves over time. A quick wipe-down will help keep the plant healthy and looking its best. Run a clean, soft cloth over your plant's leaves about once a month.
Grow These Tropical Plants And Fruit Trees Indoors
In addition to banana plants, there are other tropical plants and fruits to grow indoors. Our guide to growing fruit trees indoors explains what you need to know and which plants to choose for your indoor garden. Grow flowering tropical plants for colorful blooms or, for more simple greenery, ferns make great indoor plants. Add an orchid or two for an exotic touch to your assortment.