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Add a touch of the tropics with this broad-leafed, gorgeous banana tree. Versatile as can be, this patio plant does just as well in a pot or planted in-ground, but make sure they have excellent drainage. Though a dwarf varietal, they can grow upwards of 6 feet tall and will produce fruit once per tree. They will fruit in 2-3 years.
Banana Tree Plant Overview And Care Guide
Musa grow best in bright, indirect light, but will tolerate partial shade and some direct sun.
Keep consistently moist during the warmest months and more than most plants in an indoor setting during winter months.
These plants enjoy high levels of humidity indoors and outside.
Keep this plant on the warmer side and avoid cold drafts.
Outside: Keep them in bright, indirect light on a patio out of direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn where nights are above 50°F.
Add a mix of 6-2-12 fertilizer for leaf color and lush fruiting.
When receiving the Musa 'Dwarf Cavendish', do not repot immediately but wait at least 3 months or if the roots are beginning to get crowded and growing through the drainage holes. They can grow very fast in their first year. As they get older, you can repot annually.
Repot in the spring, using a 2 inches bigger pot to give the roots room to spread.
Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow to drain. Use a rich, well-draining indoor potting mix with perlite for drainage.
Water your plant in the old pot before transferring over and let sit an hour.
Add well-draining potting soil and perlite to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen.
Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling.
Ensure the plant is sitting about 1 inch below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over.
Water thoroughly, and if settling occurs, add more soil.
Water well to dampen the soil and let drain.
Banana plants produce suckers that can hinder fruit production. Look for stem growth at the base of the central stalk coming from underneath the soil. Leave 5-6 suckers but remove the rest off with a sharp knife. After a sucker produces fruit, you can eliminate that stalk down to the ground. Remove any dried or dead leaves so more nutrients can travel to healthy parts of the plant.
Banana plants produce suckers that can be harvested and propagated. These young plants are called "pups" and can be removed from the main plant. Leave one "pup" with their mother plant but remove the rest by division. Carefully cut them with a sterile, sharp knife and include some of the roots. Repot in similar soil at the same height with a pot 2" wider than the root ball. Water in the soil and leave an inch below the pot's top edge for watering.
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Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree: Overview
The Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree (Musa acuminata) is one of the most popular banana plant varieties. It has a relatively short stalk, which only grows to 6 ft. tall, and broad, green leaves. This Dwarf Banana Tree belongs to the Musaceae family and is native to Southeast Asia. Thanks to its adaptability and exotic beauty, it has been grown as a houseplant since the Victorian era.
The Dwarf Cavendish Banana is self-pollinating, which means you only need one plant to produce edible and delicious bananas. Its lifespan is 4 years, during which it produces plenty of fruit. The plant doesn’t die off after that but instead makes a new sprout from the corm (the underground base of the plant). The Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree is easy to care for and adaptable. The Banana plant thrives in humid and sunny locations but can adjust to partial shade. Moreover, these beautiful tropical plants are also pet-friendly.
Some other banana tree varieties include the even smaller Little Prince Dwarf Green Banana Tree and the Red Banana Tree, with its eye-catching leaves tinged with red.
Dwarf Banana Plant Benefits
- Produces edible and delicious fruit
- It’s a natural air purifier, due to its large leaves
- Can be grown indoors and outdoors (and even planted in the ground in warmer climate zones)
- Absorbs moisture from the air, thus, can control the humidity
- Non-toxic and pet-friendly
Dwarf Banana Tree Alternative Names
- Canary Banana
- Pisang Serendah
- Chinese banana
Dwarf Cavendish Banana Care Guide
Although originating from the warm and humid tropics, Dwarf Cavendish Banana Trees aren’t difficult to grow at home or as a patio plant, in zones 9-11. Here’s what the Dwarf Banana Tree needs for best care and maintenance:
Watering and Humidity Requirements
The Musa Banana Tree likes its soil moist and needs to be watered slightly more than regular indoor plants, even in winter, especially when placed in the sun. This plant also requires high humidity levels and will benefit from misting in drier climate zones.
Light and Temperature Requirements
The Banana Musa loves bright light but is quite adaptable and can tolerate partial shade and some direct sunlight. It prefers warm temperatures within the 65°F- 80°F range.
Soil and Feeding
It’s best to use a well-draining indoor plant potting mix for Dwarf Bananas. Put some perlite in the bottom of the pot to ensure good drainage. Although banana trees are water-loving, They are susceptible to root rot if grown in soil without good drainage.
Repotting and Propagation
The Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree you buy will probably not need immediate repotting. If it grows too big for its pot or you see roots growing out of the drainage holes, use a pot about 2 inches bigger to transplant it. Provide well-draining soil and trim any damaged roots. You can propagate Banana trees by division. Remove the suckers (also called “pups”) with sharp, sterilized sheers and plant them in pots. Make sure to leave one pup on the mother plant.
Pruning and Cleaning
If your plant produces too many suckers, they can interfere with its fruit production. Leave no more than 4-5 suckers on the plant and remove the rest. Occasionally, clean the broad leaves with a soft, wet cloth to wipe off the dust.
Common Leaf and Other Issues
The Banana plant can develop yellowing leaves due to overwatering or brown spots caused by sunburn from direct sunlight exposure. Other issues to watch out for are pests like spider mites or mealy bugs and root rot.
Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
These large, beautiful plants will introduce a vibrant tropical note into your home. We’ve put together a few tips and ideas for selecting the right place and grouping your Banana Tree with other plants and some gorgeous alternative plants.
Best Locations & Uses
- Moisture-loving plants that can control the humidity in homes located in tropical climates
- Ideal outdoor patio plant (as long as night temperatures are above 50°F)
- Great for beginners and people with a busy lifestyle, as they’re low-maintenance
- Perfect for people who love growing their food
- Great for pet owners, as the Dwarf Banana is entirely safe for pets
Companion Plants
You can group your Banana Tree with other tropical plants or humidity-loving varieties, such as:
- Flamingo Flower (Anthurium spp.): Like your banana tree, the flamingo flower enjoys high humidity, so spritz occasionally, especially if grown in dry climate zones.
- Umbrella Tree Plant (Schefflera Gold Capella): Another plant variety from the tropical regions of Australia and the Far East is the Umbrella Tree Plant. It’s an evergreen shrub that can beautifully complement your Dwarf Banana.
- Split Leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa): This spectacular Philodendron, with its large fenestrated leaves, thrives in humid environments like Musa acuminata trees.
Pair your Cavendish Banana with these aesthetically pleasing companion plants to enhance your space.
Alternative Plants
If you love Banana Trees’ broad leaves and exotic vibe, or you fancy other fruit-producing plants, check out some alternative beauties below:
- Orange Flower Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginea): The Orange Flower Bird of Paradise, is a stunning flowering plant, which can boost the exotic feel of your indoor garden.
- Indoor Olive Tree (Olea europaea ‘Mission’): If you’re interested in culinary plants, the Indoor Olive Tree can be just what you’re looking for.
- Pineapple Plant (Ananas comosus): Another indoor plant variety that rewards you with edible fruits is the Pineapple Plant. Like the dwarf Cavendish banana, it is also pet-safe.
Explore other alternative indoor plants for sale, carefully selected by Lively Root!