Banana — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Musa acuminata |
|---|---|
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 270–450 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 243.8–365.8 |
| Mature height (cm) | 243.8–609.6 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 152.4–304.8 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 8–11 |
| Light | Partial sun |
| Water | High |
| Sowing method | Division |
Growing directions
Plant pups in rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade; banana is the most-consumed fruit on earth and one of the most productive food plants for Gulf Coast zone 8–11 gardens, where established clumps produce a nearly continuous succession of hands. Each pseudostem flowers once and fruits once, then should be cut to the ground after harvest, allowing the pups already pushing up around it to take over. In zone 8–9 the top growth dies back in hard freezes but established root mats resprout reliably in spring; heavy mulching protects the rhizomes. Popular zone-8-hardy varieties include 'Orinoco,' 'Lady Finger,' 'Dwarf Cavendish,' and the ultra-cold-hardy ornamental/edible 'Basjoo' hybrid. The large, exotic leaves make banana a spectacular tropical accent plant even in years when the winter prevents fruiting.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0