If you saw the first episodes of  Flambeau  : The Adventurers of Chupacabra  , Jonathan Cohen’s series that parodies  Koh-Lanta , you will have noticed that Marc’s character tries from the first episodes to grow a banana… by planting a banana in the sand. The unfriendly character seems convinced that in a few years he will be able, thanks to this gesture, to feed his team with delicious bananas. Spoiler: this won’t work! If the gag has the merit of making people smile, it also gives us the opportunity to investigate the issue. Because it is not uncommon to see banana trees growing in French gardens. If the latter rarely bear fruit, they inspire our outdoor spaces with a touch of aesthetic exoticism. Here we’ll explain to you how to do it.

Can you plant a banana tree from seeds?

If you eat bananas regularly, you may have noticed that the fruit has no seeds. This is not a curiosity of nature but a genetic manipulation created by humans. In nature, seeds take up a lot of space in the fruit, so their pulp is not easy to reach. Therefore, humans have shaped bananas to promote consumption. Therefore, there are banana fruits that carry seeds, and you can buy them online so you can plant them directly from your garden or in pots.

If you know someone who has a banana in their garden, you don’t need to get seeds. In fact, banana trees propagate from pieces of rhizome, thus forming small plants at the foot of their parent. Then simply separate the miniature plant and replant it in your garden, in a well-drained, nutrient-rich root ball or pot, adding clay pebbles to the bottom of the pot. This method allows, in addition to saving money, to know that the chosen banana variety grows correctly in the climatic conditions of your place of residence.

Where and when to plant a banana?

Contrary to what you may think, the banana is not a shrub but a herbaceous plant. That’s why it is called “the tallest grass in the world.” Its size ranges between 1 and 7 meters depending on weather conditions. To get a beautiful banana tree with magnificent leaves, it is best to choose a hardy or subtropical variety that you will plant in spring or summer.

Choose to expose it to the sun and shelter from the wind. If you opt for potted and indoor cultivation, you can install it near a window on the west side. Be careful not to overexpose it to direct sunlight, at the risk of drying it out.

How to maintain a banana tree?

As with any tropical plant grown in pots and indoors, it is important to artificially recreate the climatic conditions of its natural environment. To do this, spray the banana leaves regularly. Also water regularly, making sure to let the soil dry out between waterings. Finally, repot every two or three years in spring into a larger pot.

In the soil, also water regularly, about every other day, and add green plant fertilizer every two weeks, except in autumn and winter. As soon as temperatures get too low, cover the base of your plant.

Now you know how to grow a banana tree at home.