Banana plants feel very comfortable in bright rooms. They thrive near the window. Practical tips for care and propagation make this plant a long-term companion in your own home.
How to care for a banana plant indoors?
Caring for a banana plant indoors includes regular watering, high humidity, fertilizing, repotting and, if necessary, cutting. Make sure the environment is bright and avoid waterlogging. In winter the plant should be kept warm.
Watering and fertilizing
Water the banana tree regularly so that the root ball does not dry out. Also pay attention to high humidity. 50 percent is recommended. Bananas do not tolerate waterlogging. Drainage in the flower pot and a hole in the bottom prevent this. Regular fertilization ensures lush growth.
Repotting
After winter rest is the best time to change the pot. At the end of February to mid-March, plant the banana in a new pot. However, this must not be too big because it gives the Musa support.
After a few years, banana plants die. To do this, they produce small offshoots at the bottom of the trunk. The children can be separated from the mother plant when repotting. They thrive beautifully in small flower pots.
Cutting
In the wild, banana plants quickly grow up to 5 meters high. This also applies to indoor bananas. Since these are perennials, pruning is not possible. Nevertheless, the leaves of the Musa can be cut down before the start of winter dormancy. The following spring the perennial sprouts again.
Tip:
Inform yourself about the possible growth height before purchasing. Newer dwarf varieties (Musa acuminata) are ideal for smaller rooms. These usually only grow to 1.50 meters high.
- Dwarf banana (Dwarf cavendish)
- Pink Dwarf Banana
Diseases
The indoor banana should be checked regularly for pests. These can often be recognized at first glance by changes in the leaves.
Wintering
If banana plants are allowed to overwinter in the warm during the cool season, depending on the variety, they like to delight with flowers. Some species produce small, edible bananas.
Tips & Tricks
Banana trees feel at home in the home garden in a sunny and wind-protected spot. You can leave your protégé in the flower pot or plant it out.