Musa

( MEW - zuh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of perennial plants includes species that need full sun to partial shade and ample amounts of water to perform well in the garden. These are edimental plants that are fast-growing with thick stems and spread via underground runners. Leaves are beautiful and broad but can be damaged by high winds. These plants are great near swimming pools and can add a tropical look to any landscape. They can also be grown in containers and kept as houseplants or greenhouse specimens.

Musa Species and Varietals

The genus Musa is a the type genus member of the plant family Musaceae and includes between 68 and 83 species, all of which produce edible fruits that many know as bananas. Plants in this genus are related to those in Ensete (False Banana). The best growing zones for Musa vary depending on the species and they are commonly grown as houseplants in any zone. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Musa acuminata (Banana, Dessert Banana, Cavendish Banana, Blood Banana, Lady Finger)
This plant grows best in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 14-24, H1 and H2 and is native to Southeast Asia. The species is considered invasive in Australia, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, Central America, South America, and central/eastern Africa. Cultivars are listed and described below:

'Enano Gigante'
Reaches 6-8 feet tall and wide, and leaves in dark green, marked with red when young. This plant produces creamy fruit.

'Zebrina'
('Roja', 'Rojo', 'Sumatra')
This variety, known under many names, has green leaves with maroon stripes and produces inedible fruit.

'Siam Ruby'
This variety has dark red leaves and leafstalks marked with yellow.

Musa basjoo (Japanese Banana, Hardy Banana, Cold Hardy Banana, Japanese Fiber Banana)
This species of Musa is best in USDA hardiness zones 5-10 or Sunset growing zones 2-3 (with protection), 4-9, 14-24, H1 and H2 and is native to Japan. This is a hardy plant that grows to 15 feet tall. Although considered to be fairly cold-tolerant, this plant will die to the ground in frosty areas but regrow in the next season if well-mulched.

Musa lasiocarpa (Musella lasiocarpa) (Chinese Yellow Banana, Golden Lotus Banana, Chinese Dwarf Banana)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7a-11 or Sunset growing zones 5-9, 11-24, H1 and H2 and is native to China. It reaches 5-6 feet tall and has dark green leaves that reach 3-4 feet long. Its inflorescence looks like a large artichoke. The plant will die after the flower expires, but regrow from the roots in the next season.

Musa x paradisiaca (Musa sapientum) (Banana, Edible Banana, Plantain)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b or Sunset growing zones 9, 12-16, 19-24, H1 and H2. It is a commonly grown form and bears flowers with powdery-purple bracts. Fruit is seedy, inedible and sometimes follows the flowers.

Caring for Musa

Musa, or Banana, plants should be planted in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade. They ideally should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day, though there are some varieties whose leaves will scorch in intense sun. Make sure these plants get some afternoon shade during the warmest hours of the day. They appreciate some shelter from strong winds and a humid space, as well, to avoid leaves splitting. Plant in rich, deep soil that is well-draining and has a pH of between 5.0 and 6.5 (slightly acidic). They do not have a good tolerance for salt in soils, and are therefore not great along coastlines. They are naturally rainforest plants, and need plenty of water in both their environment and their soil. If soils do not drain well or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend soil with plenty of organic material and/or compost before planting. After installing, lay down a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant, ensuring that it does not touch stems, in order to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, these plants appreciate consistently moist soils, but cannot stand waterlogged conditions, which can cause issues with root rot. Musa requires rich soil and frequent fertilizations. Fertilize using compost a few times a year, first when new growth emerges in springtime and then every few weeks through the growing season. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch each time. Prune off any dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time. If growing these plants with the goal of harvesting their fruits, prune so there is only one main stem. After harvesting, a sucker will form at the base of the plant. This will be next year's plant. At this time, prune the main stem down to 2.5 feet tall, and then remove it completely after a few weeks, leaving the sucker intact to begin putting on growth.

Caring for Musa Indoors
Musa plants require at least a 15-gallon container for optimal growth. Pots should have large drainage holes. Ensure that soil is rich in organic material and well-draining, with a pH of between 5.0 and 6.5. Fertilize monthly during the active growth and blooming seasons with a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Place your Musa in a spot in the home that is near a south or west-facing window for the ideal exposure. It will thrive in a spot that stays between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Under 60 degrees Fahrenheit, these plants will struggle to grow well. Potted banana trees have higher watering needs than those grown in the ground. They will not reach their maximum size and typically will not bear fruit unless meticulously cared for. Container-grown banana trees will need to be divided and repotted every two to three years, and suckers will need to be separated from the parent plant. For instructions on how to successfully divide and replant Musa, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

Musa, or Banana, can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Musa plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Musa by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. They are located inside of the fruits produced by Musa plants (commonly called Bananas). Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Musa by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.