Can banana plants grow indoors?
Growing Banana Plants indoors is a wonderfully satisfying thing to do. While an indoor banana plant is unlikely to produce fruit, what you will find is beautiful, delicate leaves with intricate patterns on them, juxtaposed with the strong, tall, dominating stalk. Indoors, they should be kept between 67°F and 90℉. In colder temperatures, they stop growing. Native to humid environments, your banana plant may show signs of stress if the air is too dry in your home,” says Pangborn. Plants should be protected from drafty areas and air vents.Not cutting back the tree will also ensure that your banana trees bloom. The flower stalk originates from the growing point that is near ground level. It must then travel up from the ground through the inside of the trunk and come out the top to bloom. It takes a couple of growing seasons for this to happen.Full sun: Banana trees need full sun to thrive, or a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day. Indoors, keep your banana plant near a south-facing window and consider supplementing its growth with a grow light.Wrap the whole plant with horticultural fleece ensuring that there are no exposed gaps. Use garden twine to securely tie up the fleece, tightly enough that the fleece stays in place but not enough to damage the trunk of the banana.
What’s the lifespan of an indoor banana plant?
Year 6+: End of Life A banana tree can live for about 6 years, but after fruiting, they will appear to die. Banana plants are very hardy and easy to care for, with a moderate growth rate that won’t get out of control. They prefer tropical temperatures between 68 to 82°F and can survive in low to high light conditions. Of course, the more light you give it, the faster it’ll grow.According to NCERT, the lifespan of a banana tree is about 25 years, with a productive lifespan of 15-20 years.Stop fertilizing in the winter months when the shorter days and somewhat cooler temperatures slow growth. Indoors, bananas need as much light as possible and will do best in a south, east or west-facing window. Position the plant away from drafts and rotate the container on a regular basis for even growth.The bananas typically mature in 60 to 90 days after the flowers appear. The exact lifespan of a banana pseudostem depends on the species of banana and the weather. Most banana varieties stop growing when the temperature drops below 12 degrees Celcius. Normally 5 to 6 years is the life span of banana.Do not expect the plant to produce fruit indoors because it needs tropical conditions for this to occur. The banana plant can be relocated outdoors when the temperature is consistently 50 degrees F. While most species grow best in warm climates, there are some cold-hardy banana plants.
Where is the best place to put a banana plant indoors?
Indoor bananas need to be positioned in a bright room but without in direct exposure to sunlight. The plants will benefit from high humidity in the room. Mist often the leaves to improve humidity around the plant. Alternatively, place the pot on a humidity tray (a large tray with pebbles, filled with water). After the first good frost when the leaves turn brown , cut your banana tree down to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm). Dispose of the leaves on the compost pile. Place 4 stakes about 3 ft apart in a square pattern, leaving the banana stump in the center.If your potted banana plant has outgrown its container, repot into a pot the next size up, in spring. In autumn, move pot-grown plants under cover, such as into a greenhouse or conservatory. Alternatively, cut the plant back and keep it in an outbuilding, if that’s the only space available.Rapidly yellowing lower leaves (closest to soil) with no new growth are a clear sign of over-watering, usually caused by too little light. Although Banana Plants can do well in darker locations, the frequency of irrigations must be reduced to counteract the chance of root rot.And try saving your old coffee grounds as they are an excellent source of slow-release nitrogen. Sprinkle used grounds around your plants every two months before rain or watering and your banana plants will be happy!
Do banana plants need a lot of water?
If your banana plant is in the ground and you receive an inch of rainfall every week or so, you won’t need to provide additional water. But if it gets really dry, you can give your plant a good, thorough soaking. The best way to do this is to let your garden hose trickle slowly. Banana plants are thirsty plants and definitely not drought-hardy. Keep the soil consistently moist. If the leaves of your banana droop, it’s a good sign the plant needs water. Conversely, banana plants do not like wet roots so do not allow the plant to sit in a wet saucer.Generally, an overwatered Banana shrub will have yellowing leaves and may even drop some leaves. Also, overwatering can cause the overall structure of your plant to shrivel and may also promote root rot. On the other hand, an underwatered Banana shrub will also begin to wilt.And try saving your old coffee grounds as they are an excellent source of slow-release nitrogen. Sprinkle used grounds around your plants every two months before rain or watering and your banana plants will be happy!Bananas are heavy feeders so for best (and spectacular) results, they should be watered with a dilute liquid fertilizer solution (1/2 strength) plus 1T Epsom salt per gallon eve- ry time you water, or use a slow release fertilizer like Osmocote® along with liquid fertilizer at 1/2 strength plus Epsom salt added to the .Ideal Conditions for Growing Bananas Most banana varieties prefer full sun and grow best in USDA Zones 9-11, however, there are banana plants that can scorch easily and like partial shade.