Edible Banana (Musa acuminata)

How much light does an Edible Banana need?

Outdoors, full sun is preferred, and the plant also accepts part shade. Full sun means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Indoors, the stored preference is direct sun. Bright, indirect light is tolerated, and warm temperatures are listed alongside it. Planting in full sun is advised for the best growth and fruit production.

• Light: Direct sun; tolerates bright, indirect light¹

How often to water an Edible Banana

Water needs fall between medium and wet. The recorded range runs from medium at the dry end to wet at the other. The soil should not be allowed to dry out, and the same source tells you to fertilize regularly. Outdoors, banana plants do best in organically rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Water: Medium to wet²

Best soil for an Edible Banana

Choose a soil that is both well drained and moist. Outdoors, banana plants do best in organically rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. The recommended soil pH is in the range of 6 to 7. A pH of 6 is the low end of that range, and 7 is the high end. Water needs run from medium to wet, and the soil should not dry out.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and moist^3,4
• Soil pH: pH 6–7⁵

Temperature and humidity

Temperatures below 28 °F (-2 °C) may kill the plant to the ground. It is rated for USDA zones 10a to 11b. Humidity should be high. If good light is available, place the plant in a high humidity area. You can also group plants together. Warm temperatures are listed alongside bright, indirect light for indoor growing. No cited source records a maximum temperature.

• Minimum temperature: 28.4 °F (-2 °C)⁶
• Humidity: High⁷

Fertilizing an Edible Banana

Frequent feeding is the pattern here, with fertilizer applied 4 to 6 times for maximum production. Iowa State University Extension advises feeding plants every week with a water-soluble fertilizer. The record classes the plant as a heavy feeder. Fertilize regularly, and do not let the soil dry out.

• Fertilizer: Heavy feeder^8,1

How to propagate an Edible Banana

New banana plants come from seed, offsets or division. The University of Florida IFAS Extension says the most common propagation material is suckers, or pieces of the rhizome. Seed is also listed by the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. That gives you three methods to choose from: seed, offsets and division.

• Propagation: Seed, offsets and division^3,6,4

Common problems

Aphids, spider mites, mealybugs and scale are the ones to watch for on houseplants. Sugarcane weevil, burrowing nematode, banana stem weevil and banana moth are also recorded. Recorded diseases are anthracnose, mosaic virus, panama disease, black sigatoka, bunchy top virus and xanthomonas wilt. Black sigatoka is described as an important leaf disease in Florida.

• Common pests: aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, scale, sugarcane weevil, burrowing nematode, banana stem weevil and banana moth^3,9
• Common diseases: anthracnose, mosaic virus, panama disease, black sigatoka, bunchy top virus and xanthomonas wilt^3,6,9

Questions and answers

Is the edible banana toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox tags it as non-toxic for cats and as non-toxic for dogs as well.

How much light does a banana plant need?

Outdoors it prefers full sun, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight a day, and it accepts part shade. Indoors the stored preference is direct sun, with bright, indirect light tolerated. Full sun is advised for the best growth and fruit production.

What temperature and humidity does an edible banana want?

Temperatures below 28 °F (-2 °C) may kill the plant to the ground. It is rated for USDA zones 10a to 11b. Humidity should be high, and grouping plants together is one way to raise it.