Join in on the fun and go bananas by planting a banana tree in your garden today! With a delightful selection of varieties to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect fit for your garden, no matter its size. These beauties are a breeze to grow, and in no time, you'll be relishing the pure joy of picking and savouring your very own scrumptious fruits.
Planting Calendar
Bananas are best planted when the weather is warm and all signs of frosts have passed.
Harvest In
1 year
It can take up to a year to be able to harvest a big bunch of bananas. Cut the whole stalk of bananas off when they have a plump fat look to them, even though they will still be green. Bananas will ripen on the bunch, which can be hung up in a shed or garage where it is cool and dry. Bananas do not last long once they have turned yellow.
Prepare
Position
Bananas do best in a sheltered sunny position.
Soil
Bananas love to be planted into deep free draining soil that is laden with compost and other organic matter including well rotted animal manure, such as sheep pellets.
Pollination
Bananas do not require a pollinator to produce fruit.
Plant
Bananas love organic matter and like to be planted onto a mound of well rotted down compost. Gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. Back fill the hole mixing in Kings Compost, Sheep Pellets, Dave's Humates and Kings Citrus and Fruit Tree Food into your soil, so that the top of the plant's roots are level with the surrounding soil. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant into a slight mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, to help slowly condition the soil.
Care
Watering
Bananas being from the tropics love water, ensure that they are well watered in dry periods, so that the soil is kept moist but not soggy.
Feeding
Feed, feed and feed, Bananas love food, Apply Sheep Pellets monthly along with your fruit tree food according to the instructions on the packet and Aquaticus Garden booster mixed in water.
Protecting
Bananas are generally pest free, so usually do not need spraying. But fruit will need to be protected from birds.
Mulching
Bananas love mulch, mulch around the plants with Living earth more than mulch. Lawn clippings can also be added as a mound around the plants.
Pruning
Once flowering has finished and the bunches are harvested, cut the stem right down to ground level. When new growth emerges, allow two stems to grow to produce fruit. Chop up the old stems and put in the compost or to use as mulch around the plant.
Expert Tip
The secret to successful banana growing is water, mulch and food
Top Varieties
Misi Luki
Tight bunches of delicious lady finger bananas, short and fat and very sweet. 3 x 4m.
Mons Mari
Large sweet bananas. Dwarf cavendish type growing to 2.5 m.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I plant a banana plant?
Bananas love organic matter and like to be planted onto a mound of well rotted down compost. Gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. Back fill the hole mixing in Kings Compost, Sheep Pellets, Dave's Humates and Kings Citrus and Fruit Tree Food into your soil, so that the top of the plant's roots are level with the surrounding soil. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Garden Booster.
How often should I water my banana plant?
Bananas being from the tropics love water, ensure that they are well watered in dry periods, so that the soil is kept moist but not soggy.
When should I fertilise my banana plant?
Feed, feed and feed, Bananas love food, Apply Sheep Pellets monthly along with your fruit tree food according to the instructions on the packet and Aquaticus Garden booster mixed in water.
How do I prune my banana plant?
Once flowering has finished and the bunches are harvested, cut the stem right down to ground level. When new growth emerges, allow two stems to grow to produce fruit. Chop up the old stems and put in the compost or to use as mulch around the plant.
When will my banana plant produce?
It can take up to a year to be able to harvest a big bunch of bananas. Cut the whole stalk of bananas off when they have a plump fat look to them, even though they will still be green. Bananas will ripen on the bunch, which can be hung up in a shed or garage where it is cool and dry. Bananas do not last long once they have turned yellow.
