23 Banana Tree Types: How To Grow a Banana Tree (Blue Java vs Red, Dwarf)

Blue Java Banana AKA Ice Cream Banana Tree

The Blue Java banana is easily recognizable by its dull blue-green peel, creamy texture, and vanilla taste.

The Blue Java banana tree grows exceptionally well in humid climates and can be found in Southeast Asia, as well as the Philippines. There is a common misconception that this lovely fruit tastes like ice cream, but it’s actually the thick consistency of the banana that is reminiscent of ice cream and not the taste itself.²¹

This banana variety is also known as the Hawaiian banana and they’re a great source of vitamin C.

A Blue Java banana tree is also called an Ice Cream banana tree, or a Krie tree.

How To Grow a Blue Java Banana Tree

Growing a Blue Java banana tree is fairly easy, if you happen to live in a growing zone ranging between 8 – 11.

Twelve hours of full sun is required every day to ensure that the tree reaches its full growth potential. Watering should be done every day to keep the soil moist.

Once the tree is mature, it will start to bear fruit – most likely when it’s at a height of around fifteen feet.³

Red Banana Tree

In stark contrast to blue java bananas, the red banana tree produces a striking red-purple fruit with light-pink flesh.²² Along with other types of trees, including the avocado tree, banana trees technically produce berries because the fruit develops out of a flower ovary.

Red bananas also carry the flavor of berries, with most banana lovers agreeing that the flesh tastes of raspberries.

How To Grow a Red Banana Tree

Red banana trees should be planted in full-sun locations and regularly watered especially during summer.

It is important to plant the tree at the beginning of summer, or at least late spring, to ensure that cold temperatures don’t hamper its growth.

The soil should be moist, but never oversaturated. Sufficient fertilizer is necessary to provide enough nutrients for young trees.⁴

Dwarf Banana Tree

The dwarf banana tree comes in more than a dozen different varieties, with the most well-known being the dwarf cavendish banana tree.⁵

Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree

Adding tropical air to an outdoor entertainment area is easy with a potted dwarf Cavendish banana tree or two.

This fruit-bearing plant can be kept in a pot outdoors, and brought indoors when the weather turns cold. It is self-fertile and will produce a healthy crop of bananas while staying pest resistant.

How To Grow a Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree

Growing a healthy dwarf Cavendish tree requires a sunny spot, moist soil, well-balanced fertilizer, and a growing zone between 9 and 11.²³ The rhizome should be planted in a hole that is at least a foot deep, but the sucker should be visible above the ground.

Regular watering – every two or three days – will help the tree to grow well and reach the flowering stage in 12 months.⁶

Potting and repotting banana trees should be done using a pot with drainage holes and fresh soil.

The best containers for growing a banana tree have enough room at the bottom to help the roots expand. Ceramic and metal pots are typically more expensive than plastic and wood containers, but they will last much longer.

Banana Tree Houseplant

Unlike the dwarf variety, the regular banana tree houseplant usually won’t bear fruit indoors.

It will thrive inside under the right conditions, including direct sunlight and well-drained soil. Growing banana fruit on an indoor plant will produce inedible and seeded bananas.

Indoor Banana Tree

An indoor banana tree, fruit-bearing or not, needs a bright location with direct sunlight for at least eight hours every day.

The higher the humidity the better, and this can be achieved by misting the leaves daily.⁷

Banana Palm Tree

The banana palm tree is a great addition to any outdoor entertainment area, with its large leaves and stunning looks.

They grow well in large pots and need a little shade every day if they’re located in a full-sun position.

How To Grow a Banana Tree: Growing Options

When you’re learning how to grow a banana tree, you may have realized that using seeds is not the easiest way to do it.

Although you can grow a tree from a seed, the process takes time and a lot of attention to enure the plant seedlings thrive.

Growing Banana Tree From a Seed

Growing a banana tree from a seed is possible, but the process mainly works for wild bananas that contain a lot of seeds.²⁴

If you’re trying to use seeds to grow a banana plant, you should start out by taking seeds from a wild banana and soaking it on a damp paper towel, inside an enclosed plastic bag for at least two days until they sprout.

Place the sprouts inside a try filled with potting soil.

The soil should be moist, but not wet as this can cause the seeds to rot.

It should also be heated and cooled every day to ensure that germination takes place within a few weeks.⁸

Growing a Banana Tree From a Cutting

Propagating banana trees, or growing a banana tree from a cutting, can be done using a sharp knife.

The plant pup should be separated from the parent, and planted in another container.

Root hormone is an excellent aid in minimizing root shock and will help the new plant grow strong and healthy.

Growing Zones for Banana Tree (Where To Grow)

The best-growing zones for banana tree are between 10 and 11, but these trees can also thrive in regions 8b – 9 if they are well cared for.

When To Plant Banana Tree for the Best Yield

Knowing when to plant banana tree for the best yield is your best chance at growing a healthy tree that produces delicious bananas.

Most experts agree that planting should happen during late spring or summer.

The soil should be watered at least a week before planting, and the plants should be spaced at least 13 feet apart.

How Far Apart To Plant Banana Tree

Agricultural researchers have discovered how far apart to plant banana tree is only 10 feet when planting in rows.

(Image: Mittmac³¹)

Essentially, the rows should be spaced 10 feet apart, while the banana plants should be spaced around 5 feet apart in every row.

Companion Plants For Growing Banana Tree

Finding the right companion plants for growing banana tree forms a crucial part of maintaining your banana patch.²⁵

A banana patch is often planted in a circle, around a pit filled with compost which ensures that the plants get all the necessary nutrients. Companion plants form a part of the circle, especially sweet potato plants which cover the ground and help the soil retain moisture.

Another excellent companion plant is lemongrass, as it is a natural bug repellent and Comfrey which adds minerals to the soil where the banana plants can soak it up.⁹

Best Growing Conditions For Banana Tree

The best-growing conditions for banana tree is a humid, sunny location that is very close in nature to the rainforest regions where bananas are naturally found.

Cold-hardy bananas can grow in less than ideal temperatures, but banana plants in general don’t like extremely cold temperatures or strong winds.

How Much Sunlight Does Banana Tree Need Each Day?

So, exactly how much sunlight does banana tree need each day?

(Image: AllaGuzenko³²)

Most banana plants require at least 6 hours of full sunlight every day.²⁶ Wherever this is not possible, a grow light should be added to help the plants stay healthy.

Some banana plants can burn in too much sun, and require partial shade to protect them from leaf scorch.

Watering Needs for Banana Tree Plants

The watering needs for banana tree plants include a lot of moisture in both the soil and the air, as well as watering every third day or so to prevent dry-out.

Take care not to over water the plants, as this will cause the roots to rot.¹⁰

Planting Tips for Banana Tree

If you’re planning on cordoning off a space in your backyard for a banana patch, the following tips for banana tree planting will come in handy.

• Find a space that receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight every day and dig a hole that is at least twice as deep and wide as the current pot in which the plant is growing.
• Add a layer of compost to the hole before inserting the banana plant. Pack the soil tightly around the roots so that the plant doesn’t topple over.
• Plant companion plants alongside the banana tree or around it. Water all the plants on a daily basis to make sure the roots become well established.¹¹

How Long Does It Take for a Tree To Grow?

Trees take anything from ten to forty years to reach maturity, depending on their location and how well they are cared for.

Banana plants grow a lot quicker and can reach maturity in less than a year.

Most often, the time between planting a new ‘tree’ and harvesting the fruit is only 12 months.

How To Grow a Banana Tree

Banana trees don’t require lots of effort to grow. Most need full sun for at least eight hours every day, while others need partial shade to ensure that their leaves are protected from scorch.

When planting a banana tree, the roots should be covered with mulch to protect them from frost.

The tree should also be rotated during the different seasons to maximize growth potential.

Growing a Banana Tree From a Seedling

Wild banana seeds can be used to grow a new banana plant. The seeds must be soaked in lukewarm water for at least two days before being planted in well-drained potting soil. Plant the seeds by pressing them into the soil (¼ inches below the surface) and add water until the soil is just moist enough.

A growing lamp or grow light will assist in providing heat on and off until the seedlings have sprung up. Large seedlings should be transplanted into a bigger pot or outdoors in a location protected from fierce winds.

How To Grow a Tree From a Branch

If you’re trying to grow a tree from a branch or a cutting, you should make sure you have the correct tools to sever a small twig from an existing tree. The easiest way to do this is to use a sharp pruner to remove a cutting of around 10 inches in length.

The cutting should be placed in either water or moist soil and covered with plastic until the roots are fully developed. The plant can then be moved into a bigger pot or an outdoor bed.¹²

How To Grow a Lemon Tree

Much like a banana plant, a lemon tree can be grown from seeds or from twigs.²⁷ Cuttings usually grow faster than seeds, but if you choose to grow seeds anyway it is essential to let them dry out for at least two weeks before planting them in potting soil.

Cover the pot with plastic and place it in a spot that gets a lot of sun. Once the seedlings have grown to around 12 inches in length, they should be transplanted into a bigger pot or planted outdoors.¹³

How To Grow a Cherry Tree From Seed

Cherry trees are beautiful, and make for a stunning landscape especially around the holidays.²⁸ You can grow a cherry tree from seed (pits) to add a pop of color to your backyard.

The area where the tree is planted should receive direct sunlight for at least eight to ten hours every day and the soil should be well-drained. Cherry seeds can be planted during the spring or during the fall. When planting during spring, you should place the seeds in warm water before placing them on a paper towel and letting them air dry for a week.

Once they’re dry, place them in a plastic container and store them in the fridge for 10 weeks. After this ‘dormant’ period is over, plant the seeds in containers – only three seeds per pot, and keep the pots in a bright, sunny spot. When you eventually plant them outside, make sure there is at least twenty feet between each seedling.

If you want to plant your cherry seeds during the fall, you don’t have to store them in the fridge. Instead, you can simply plant them outside and add a protective layer of mulch to provide the stratification process.¹⁴

Read More About: 8 Cherry Blossom Tree Tips to Know Before You Plant or Buy (Full Guide)

How To Grow a Mango Tree From Seed

Mango trees bearing juicy fruits can also be grown from seed.²⁹ The large pit inside a mango holds the seed that needs to be planted, so leave it out to dry first.

The seeds can be removed using a sharp knife, but take care not to cut the seeds in half. Once the seeds are removed, plant them in moist soil that is packed deep enough to hold the root of the mango plant. After the seedlings break through the soil, they should be well watered until the roots are strong.¹⁵

How To Grow a Banana Tree: Banana Tree Care

If you’re already a pro at how to grow a banana tree and other fruit trees, you’ll know just how important aftercare is in keeping them in tip-top shape.

Banana tree care is important to keep the process of fruit-bearing, dying and new growth alive. The best way to care for existing banana trees is to prevent them from crowding any open spaces and planting excess banana pups indoors.

Banana plants can be protected from leaf scorch and frost damage by rotating them during the different seasons, and bringing them indoors whenever necessary. In winter, banana plants should be moved to the warmest location indoors that receives direct sun.

Common Pests of the Banana Tree

Banana trees are mostly pest-resistant, but sometimes they are damaged by large insects such as grasshoppers. To prevent this, the trees should be sprayed with insecticide.

There are some common pests of the banana tree, for instance in their natural tropical habitat some banana trees suffer fungus damage. However, the risk of fungus is mitigated in very cold climates.¹⁶

How To Stop Banana Tree Disease

Banana trees are not resistant to all pests and diseases and there are several problems that may arise when the trees are left unprotected.³⁰ These include:

• Aphids: These pests cause brown, shriveled leaves and an unhealthy plant. Insecticides are the best defense against aphids, but if the infestation is severe it is best to uproot the plant and get rid of it.
• Weevils: Small weevils emerge at night and can cause massive destruction in a banana patch. Neem powder is highly effective against weevils and should be combined with a powerful insecticide.
• Black Sigatoka: The humidity required to grow bananas can also cause black sigatoka, or black leaf streak. This disease causes leaves to die and fruit to be underdeveloped. Fungicide should be used in the fight against black leaf streak, and infected leaves should be cut.¹⁷

Natural Pest Control for Banana Tree

Natural pest control for banana tree cultivation includes the use of prepared compost, and even animal manure.

Knowing how to grow a banana tree and getting on top of pests and fungi before it becomes a big problem, will ensure a large banana crop every time.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Grow a Banana Tree