In summer, the banana plant often stays outdoors. But how is the banana plant successfully overwintered? We have helpful tips and tricks.
All but one species of banana (Musa) are native to tropical to subtropical regions of Asia and the western Pacific. They are used to plenty of sun and warmth. Very few species occasionally see some snow in their homeland. Therefore, the exotic perennials usually do not get along with our frosty winters. Nevertheless, we see more and more bananas planted in our gardens at home. The trick here is choosing the species. With a hardy banana, you save yourself the hassle of buying new ones each year and the hassle of planting again. However, even the hardiest bananas can only survive the local winter if they are well wrapped up. We'll show you which bananas survive in the garden all year round.
Selection of hardy banana plants
It's hard to imagine that bananas will make it through the winter here too. But the Japanese fiber banana (Musa basjoo) also survives the Central European winter well wrapped up. There are extra frost-hardy varieties such as 'Nana' and 'Saporro', which were bred for planting in our latitudes. They are also often sold under the name "garden banana". The leaves are hardy to -3°C. At lower temperatures, the above-ground part dies and the plant hibernates underground as a rhizome. Temperatures down to -12°C can be withstood without any problems. The banana will sprout again in the spring.
Other species such as Musa sikkimensis (hardiest edible fruit bearing species), Musa itinerans (cultivar 'Burmese Blue' is hardy) , Musa balbisiana, Musa cheesmanii, Musa yunnanensis are considered conditionally hardy. They tolerate short phases with slightly below zero, since the species come from the high mountains and sometimes get to see a little snow in winter. It ispossible to overwinter plants of these species outdoors in regions with mild winters. Depending on the severity of the winter, however, it is more or less uncertain whether the plants will sprout again next year.
Overwintering banana plants: optimal conditions
In winter, temperatures can sometimes drop below -12°C. In order for your banana to survive such extreme temperatures, it needs proper winter protection. For planted bananas, do the following:
- drive four wooden slats into the ground around the trunk
- Wrap the wooden slats with rabbit wire or insulating material
- Fix rabbit wire/insulating material with rope
- Stuff the gaps tightly with autumn leaves or straw
- Wrap everything with a thick, permeable film (mulch fabric)
- Watering: do not let the soil dry out
- Fertilize: monthly with liquid fertilizer in the irrigation water
- Unpack again for new growth
Insulation boards or old mattresses can be used as insulating material. Bubble wrap can also be used instead of mulch fabric. Since this is not permeable to air, about 10 cm are left free above the ground. A rain protection roof made of foil or corrugated bitumen roof panels is installed to protect against rain. Raise the canopy occasionally to air it out.
Wintering bananas indoors
Temperatures in the winter quarters should not fall below 5°C over a longer period of time. Most strains do best at 10°C. A bright basement or conservatory are therefore the ideal winter quarters. Some varieties also like it warmer. But your bananas don't like it too warm, because the plants need a hibernation of about three months so that they sprout vigorously again in spring. If the plants are in heated rooms, they are not granted this hibernation. This leads to a growth stop of a few weeks to months. But that's not the only thing to consider, because when bananas are overwintered, the following applies: the warmer, the brighter the banana needs to be.
Our short, dark winter days can quickly become a problem for bananas that are overwintered in heated rooms. An additional light source is often necessary even at window seats. An insufficient supply of light manifests itself here by shedding leaves. However, the plants usually recover in the spring. The dry heating air quickly becomes a problem with indoor bananas in winter. Spray themTherefore, plant several times a day with water and use a humidifier. Also:
- Water when the substrate separates from the edge of the pot
- Check regularly for pests
- Fertilize: Monthly with liquid fertilizer in the irrigation water
Overwintering banana plants: should they be cut off first?
The above-ground part of the banana plant dies off in severe frost. So you can safely anticipate the whole thing. After the first frost, the frozen leaves are cut off and the pseudostem of the banana is shortened to about a meter with a sharp and clean saw. This rest protects the rhizome. The material that is cut off is chopped up and ends up on the compost or is used as mulch material. With the right care, the shortened banana can already have grown back to a height of three meters by August. You can find out how to properly care for banana plants here.
Our tip: Sprinkle the cut on the trunk with charcoal powder so that no pathogens can penetrate the wound.
Repot banana plants
Banana trees grow at an impressive rate, so time flies by so quickly until a larger pot is due. It's time for that about every year or two. But don't use a container that is too big. Otherwise it will take too long for your banana to take root and gain the necessary stability in the pot. Note the following:
- It is best to use a clay pot/bucket with a drainage hole
- Lay drainage layer on the ground
- Fill pot with substrate
- Do not plant too deep
- Press the soil properly so that the banana sits firmly in the bucket
Banana plants have a very short life span. After a few years, the leaves turn yellow, then brown, and finally the plant dies. This time can be used to remove the dying mother plant, separate off any runners that have formed and place them in a new pot. But offshoots do not only appear on the deathbed of your banana tree. Do not let the developing baby bananas get too big, but remove them in good time and give them a home of their own. Plants don't want to live with mum forever either, but want to stand on their own roots.
"You can read more about buying banana plants in our article.