Exotic plants can now be found in many a German garden. Banana trees. But are the plants that come from the tropics actually hardy? We will explore this question in this text.
Which banana tree is hardy?
First of all: There is basically no banana tree that is really “hardy”, i.e. robust enough for the typical German winter. There are only two species that canwell packaged and overwinter outdoors: the Japanese fiber bananaMusa basjooand the Darjeeling banana 'Red Tiger' (Musa sikkimensis).
How hardy is the Japanese fiber banana Musa basjoo?
Musa basjoo is considered particularly robust and can tolerate temperatures of up tominus 12 °C- but only underground, because above ground the leaves and other parts of the plant freeze from minus three degrees Celsius away. Therefore,good winter protection is essential, which should be installed at temperatures of around five degrees Celsius.
In the potMusa basjoo should overwinter in a bright place, but if possible frost-free and coolat around ten degrees Celsius. Basically, you can also pack up the potted plant and overwinter outside in a place protected from wind and weather.
How hardy is the Darjeeling banana Musa sikkimensis?
This banana tree comes from northern India, where it grows at altitudes of up to 2000 meters. The species is somewhatless hardythan Musa basjoo and can tolerateonly a few degrees below zero- this only underground. Above ground, the plant draws juice from all of its leaves in autumn, so that they dry out and have to be cut off. Here too,good winter protection is essential
Overwinter Musa sikkimensis in a pot as frost-free and brightly as possible at temperatures of around ten degrees Celsius.
Are there other hardy banana species?
All other banana varieties comefrom the tropical regionsof this world and therefore need aappropriate climate all year roundSo they are not hardy and should therefore be alsodon't overwinter outside - not even with winter protection. This is not enough, as for most species temperatures of less than ten degrees Celsius become problematic.
Tip
Why does the banana tree rot after winter?
Typically, hardy banana trees that have been overwintered outdoors rot after the winter. This is caused by too much moisture, for example because watering was too heavy or because the winter was too wet. Cut away the rotten plant parts as much as possible. If the rhizomes remain intact, the plant will sprout again later in spring.
