The banana tree - which is not actually a tree - is also enjoying increasing popularity here as an ornamental plant for the garden and house. But be careful: not every type fits into the living room because some bananas can reach considerable sizes.
What size does a banana tree reach?
In its ancestral tropical homeland, some banana trees canup to ten meters high. Of course it doesn't reach this height with us. Nevertheless, many speciesgrow up to five meters high, which is whyDwarf bananas are recommended for pot cultivation.
How big does a dwarf banana tree get?
There are different types of dwarf bananas that remain comparatively small. Thedwarf banana 'Dwarf Cavendish', which is a smaller relative of the fruit banana (Musa acuminata), is particularly popular. 'Dwarf Cavendish' reaches a sizebetween 100 and 150 centimeters and grows up to 120 centimeters wide.
Also interesting is thePink dwarf banana (Musa velutina), which grows slightly larger with growth heightsbetween 150 and 200 centimeters. Both species develop edible fruits, but are not hardy and must therefore be kept in pots.
What size does a banana tree reach for the garden?
Only hardy banana trees are suitable for the garden, although there are only two varieties to choose from: the Japanese fiber banana (Musa basjoo) and the Darjeeling banana 'Red Tiger' (Musa sikkimensis). However, both require good winter protection.
Musa basjoocan reach a size ofup to 500 centimetersand a growth width of up to 200 centimeters. Musa sikkimensisremains slightly smaller with a growth heightbetween 300 and 400 centimeters. However, these banana trees do not always reach the height mentioned, as they oftenfreeze back and then have to be cut back completely.
How big does a banana tree get in a pot?
In a sufficiently large planter, banana trees can reach heightsof up to 400 centimeters. A good example of this is the prettyornamental banana 'Maurelli', which is a cultivar of the Musa ensete species. In the pot it growsbetween 250 and 300 centimeters high and needs a lot of space.
How much space does a banana tree need?
Since banana trees reach an impressive size and growquite sprawling, they need a lot of space. You should place the garden banana trees Musa basjoo and
Musa sikkimensis in individual positions withat least 150 centimeters planting distancefrom other plants. The long, sometimes overhanging fronds, especially of Musa basjoo, should have every opportunity to spread unhindered.
For potted bananas, choose aplant pot that is as large as possible: Even young banana plants should receive a planter with a diameter of 20 to 30 centimeters (€19.00 at Amazon). The bigger the pot, the better the plant grows.
Tip
How long does a banana plant take to grow?
Banana trees grow very quickly if the conditions are right: Musa basjoo, for example, grows up to one centimeter of growth per day and up to one new leaf per day in the right location, at temperatures of more than 20 °C and with sufficient nutrient supply week.
