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4.3 out of 5 (15 experiences)


About Musa Acuminata
The banana, native to Central America, is a staple crop and has been adored by humans for over 10,000 years! 🍌 These potassium rich fruits are most often clones of the Cavendish variety and lack seeds. Their leaves, fruits, and flowers delight folks worldwide, and are used in everything from breakfast to dessert! 🍨
Taxonomy
Musa acuminata
Musa
Musaceae
Zingiberales
Also known as
Banana, Banana, Cavendish Banana and Banana Musa 'Little Prince'

How to care for Musa Acuminata

How often to water your Musa Acuminata

every 9
Musa Acuminata needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Banana in your home

a window
Musa Acuminata love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Musa Acuminata does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Musa Acuminata in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Musa Acuminata

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Musa Acuminata after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Musa Acuminata can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!
Water Needs
Musa Acuminata prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Musa Acuminata requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Musa Acuminata is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.
Humidity
Musa Acuminata doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Soil
Musa Acuminata does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Musa Acuminata is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.
Native Region
Musa Acuminata is native to Tropical and Subtropical Asia to the West Pacific.
Flowers
Yes, you may see your Musa Acuminata bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
Growth Pattern
Musa Acuminata grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Musa Acuminata can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Musa Acuminata, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Musa Acuminata
Musa Acuminata
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say












Easy plant - grows fast- water when dry - and I mist it because they like humid. I move outside in late spring (temps above 45-50 degrees f. It will have pups (babies) you can dig up early spring and give to friends. It is windy where I live (Pacific Northwest) so leaves tear or shred- but I’m ok with that. Looks cool. Plant is tall ? I’m not sure how tall it will grow? My ceilings are only 8-9 ft tall. I cut back in dead yellow old leaves. I don’t peal them down the stalk. I wait until the cut area leaves are dry and dead. Then I trim it nice. Also no bugs!!! I’ve not seen earwigs, stink bugs, etc!!! Nothing










This plant has been on my wish list for a while and I finally got one! I recommend wiping the leaves every so often, however be careful and delicate with this plant as it scars quite easily on the leaves. I have placed this plant in the conservatory and found that it loves it there, it has just put out a new leaf and already it is rapidly growing another one!







It loves my grow light! I set it outside to acclimate it after the weather became warmer and didn’t realize it would get down into the 30s at night. It did just fine and now it’s been outside for two days and still doing well. I will be planting it into the ground soon where it will get full sun.


