Your banana tree first needs the ideal planting location. Choose a sunny spot with sandy soil. Then, dig a hole 2–3 times wider than the root ball of the tree before backfilling it with the loosened soil. Plant your tree gently, press the soil around the roots, and provide plenty of water and fertilizer. With these steps, you can easily plant a banana corm or a banana sucker. It’s just as easy if you choose to grow from a banana seed though it will take longer to grow.
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3 Steps to Plant a Banana Tree in the Ground
Any banana variety will need a few ideal conditions for planting. These include an ideal place to grow, the right soil, a hole of the correct depth, and plenty of sun. Some banana cultivars can be prone to leaf scorch (so be sure to protect the leaves with some shade) but most enjoy full sun. Below, we’ll cover each step of getting your banana cultivars safely planted.
Choose the Right Site
Banana fruit trees are tropical plants that need warm climates and an absurd amount of sun. Your tree needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, most bananas thrive on 12 hours of direct sunlight each day. Choose the sunniest spot in your yard for optimal growth. You’ll also want well-draining, fertile soil preferably—sandy soil is best. It’s important that the soil drains well because excess water leads bananas to develop root rot very quickly.
- Banana plants need abundant sunshine and rich, well-draining, sandy soil.
- Be sure to provide adequate space for banana trees so they don’t steal vital nutrients from nearby plants.
Banana trees are heavy feeders that require a ton of nutrients for optimal growth. Heavy feeders are known to steal nutrients from nearby plants. As a result, sufficient planting distances are vital to the health of any plants that may grow near your tree. Keep in mind that banana roots can reach 30 feet (9 meters) in width so scout a location at least 15 feet (4.5 meters) from other plants. However, you can plant banana plants 7-8 feet (2–2.5 meters) away from each other. A cluster of bananas will support each other and ensure proper humidity better than an individual banana plant.
Dig the Planting Hole
Banana plants need a hole that is at least 1 foot wide by 1 foot deep (30 cm by 30 cm). However, it helps to dig deeper and wider than this, then backfill the hole with loosened dirt. You can take this time to test that the soil is well-draining by filling the hole with warm water. Measure how fast the water drains. A drainage speed of 3–6 inches (7.5–15 cm) of water each hour will be perfect for banana plants.
- Banana plants grow best in a hole that is 1 foot deep and 1 foot in diameter (30 cm by 30 cm).
- Be sure to loosen up more soil below and around the hole then backfill with native soil.
- Dig the hole 2 feet deep (60 cm) and 2–3 feet wide (60–90 cm), then backfill the hole with loosened dirt until it is 1 foot by 1 foot.
Once the hole is re-filled, place the banana seed, banana corm, or banana sucker in the center of the hole and fill it with native soil. If planting a corm or sucker, make sure that the soil does not cover the green shoots.
Post-Planting Tree Care
As mentioned earlier, banana trees are heavy feeders. This means their nourishment needs are intense and they will need regular fertilizing. Use this banana fertilizer to give your banana plants the nourishment they need. Water the fertilizer into the ground or use liquid fertilizer.
- Fertilize your tree with a formula designed specifically for bananas.
- Water the fertilizer into the ground after application.
- Banana cultivars need organic mulch to help retain soil moisture.
After planting, mulch the tree using organic matter, such as shredded leaves. A layer of mulch helps the soil to retain moisture, which will protect against root rot. Bananas prefer soil that is slightly moist from humid conditions. Mulching will provide the ideal environment as long as you avoid overwatering. Fungal infections can set in quickly if banana plants receive too much water.
How Deep Should a Banana Tree Be Planted?
Banana cultivars should be planted at least 1 foot (30 cm) deep in the soil. This is true of all banana varieties, including the Japanese banana tree and ornamental bananas. Banana plant roots naturally grow deep and wide as long as the soil isn’t hard and compacted. So, you don’t need to plant deep for good rooting.
- Plant your banana plants so the roots are 1 foot (30 cm) deep.
- Digging and backfilling the surrounding soil before planting encourages healthy banana root growth.
- Banana roots can become invasive so plant a good distance from buildings.
Take care to protect the surrounding area from your plant roots. Banana roots can become invasive due to their wide reach. Banana plants should be kept away from buildings and vital structures.
What is the Best Soil for a Banana Tree?
Sandy, well-draining soil works best for banana cultivars. The best planting material tends to mix a few soil types together. If you are starting bananas in pots, add peat, perlite, and vermiculite to the soil mix. These ingredients will be especially beneficial to your banana plant.
- Bananas grow best in sandy, well-draining soils with plenty of nutrients.
- Potted soil mixes that contain peat, perlite, and vermiculite are great for starting bananas.
You may also want to consider soil that has been mixed for succulents or palm trees. These mixes tend to contain the same soil types your banana plant needs. Use this cactus and succulent mix to provide fertile soil for your banana plant.
How Do You Plant a Banana Tree in the Ground?
It’s best to plant banana plants in highly permeable soil that is high in nutrients and far away from buildings and other plants. Planting is easy once you’ve determined the correct location. Just follow these tips:
- Find the best planting site (make sure it provides plenty of sunlight and soil nutrients while also being a good distance from other plants and buildings).
- Plant your banana seed, corm, or sucker in a 1 foot by 1 foot hole (30 cm by 30 cm).
- Fertilize your planted bananas and water the fertilizer into the ground.
- Add a layer of mulch to protect banana roots and prevent them from drying out.
- Avoid overwatering, which can fungal diseases for your banana plant.
By digging a large hole, then backfilling it to the 1 foot by 1-foot size, you ensure there is plenty of loose, well-draining soil for your banana plant to send roots into. In a short time, your banana plant will have adjusted to its new location and begun growing vigorously.
