Best Banana Plants for Containers
Container growing is a great option for cold-climate growers, apartment dwellers, or anyone who wants a tropical accent on a patio or deck. The key is choosing a variety that stays compact enough to be practical in a pot.
Best Varieties for Containers
- Dwarf Cavendish — The top choice. 5-9 feet tall, produces edible fruit, well-adapted to container life.
- Musa Velutina (Pink Banana) — 4-6 feet, ornamental pink fruit, flowers easily.
- Musa Zebrina — 6-10 feet, spectacular foliage, tolerates partial shade.
Container Size
Start with a 10-15 gallon container for small plants and plan to move up to 20-25 gallons as the plant grows. Larger is always better for bananas — the more root space, the bigger and healthier the plant. Ensure the container has adequate drainage holes.
Soil Mix
See Soil and pH for container mix recommendations. The mix needs to drain well while retaining moisture.
Care Adjustments for Containers
- Watering: More frequent than in-ground plants. Check daily in summer. See Watering.
- Fertilizing: More frequent at lower strength. Nutrients wash out with each watering. See Fertilizing.
- Overwintering: The advantage of containers — you can move them indoors. See Overwintering and Indoor Growing.