Ice Cream Banana Tree

Care and Maintenance

Watering: Bananas grow best in soil that is consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once a week once established, or more often if the weather is warmer than usual. Water young plants and potted plants 2-3 times per week. As growth slows down, reduce watering frequency to prevent waterlogging and root rot.

Fertilizing: Bananas are considered moderate to heavy feeders, requiring regular feeding. Fertilize newly planted bananas with a balanced fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus at reduced strength. Once established, switch to a fertilizer higher in potassium, applied every 6-8 weeks during the growing season. Stop fertilizing in winter and always follow the instructions on the packaging to prevent overfertilizing.

Pruning: Ice Cream Banana Trees require minimal pruning to thrive. Remove small or weak suckers that appear at the base of the plant, keeping only the strongest ones for next season's growth. Bananas will not produce fruit on the same stalks twice. Trim diseased or browning leaves throughout the season to boost growth. Once you’ve harvested the main stalk, cut that main stalk to the ground to allow the suckers to take over.

Pests and Diseases: Banana trees are susceptible to several common garden pests, including aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips. Also watch out for root-knot nematodes below the soil. Possible diseases include banana wilt, leaf spot, and banana bunchy top virus.

Pollination: Ice Cream Banana Trees are self-fertile. Attracting bees and other pollinators can help increase fruit set outdoors. If you're concerned about pollination rates indoors, gently transfer pollen from one flower to another using a small brush to hand-pollinate.

Harvesting: Harvest the entire banana bunch once the flowers at the ends have dried up and the top fruits change color from blue to yellow. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the stalk of the bunch. Be careful to support the weight of the bananas as you cut to prevent damage. Hang the harvested bunch in a cool, shaded area to allow the bananas to ripen evenly.

Recovery Time: Transitioning from our nursery to your home can be a bit of a shock to your plant. A short acclimation period helps it recover and reduces stress.

Climate Adjustment: Every environment is unique. Giving your plant time to adjust to the local climate, humidity, and light conditions in a shady spot will set it up for better growth and health.

How to Acclimate Your Plant: Keep the plant in its container and place it in a shady, sheltered area away from high winds. Ensure it's watered adequately – the soil should be moist but not waterlogged. Monitor the plant for any signs of distress and allow it to adjust for a few days before planting. After a few days of acclimation, your plant will be better prepared to thrive in its new home for years to come.

Planting Care

Sunlight: Plant in full sun, providing 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. When growing indoors, keep them in front of a south-facing window or supplement with grow lights.

Soil: Plant in rich, well-draining soil amended with plenty of compost. Continue to mulch with compost throughout the seasons to improve soil structure.

Mature size: These trees grow to around a maximum of 15 feet or slightly shorter when confined to containers.

Climate: Ice Cream Banana Trees are somewhat hardy for tropical plants, surviving in temperatures down to 20°F (-7°C). Those in cooler climates can keep them indoors or in a greenhouse over winter.

Thinning: Remove damaged or diseased foliage to improve growth and any weak or small suckers.

Location: Choose a full sun position in well-draining soil, or plant in containers. If you live in a colder region, keep your tree indoors in fall and winter, transitioning the pot outside in spring and summer.

Watering: After planting, water deeply 2-3 times per week to establish a strong root system. Continue to water potted trees at the same rate to stop the soil from drying out too much. Established trees typically require watering around once per week, depending on rainfall.

Pruning: After harvest, cut the main stalk down and remove any weak suckers, leaving the stronger shoots at the base to grow the following season. One of those shoots will become next year’s banana tree!

Spacing: Plant at least 10 feet away from any other trees or nearby structures in your garden when in the ground.

Harvesting: Harvest when the fruits are full-sized and the skin has changed color. Trim the entire bunch off at once, leaving the fruits that are unripe to ripen off the tree.

Pollination: Banana trees are self-fertile. Boost pollination by encouraging pollinators or hand-pollinating trees indoors.

Hardiness Zone: Ice Cream Banana Trees are suitable for planting in USDA Zones 8-11.

Fertilizer: In the first year or two, apply a half-strength balanced fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus every 6-8 weeks. Once the tree begins fruiting, switch to a fertilizer slightly higher in potassium.

Growing Zone

Grows Well In Zones: 4-11 patio / 8-11 outdoors