Banana plant Musa basjoo

Musa basjoo is a special foliage plant with a tropical charisma. Plant the banana plant as soon as possible, after delivery, in a large flower pot or patio pot with holes in the base. Preferably, use tub plant compost and add some granulated cow manure granules. Put some compost into the pot and set the Musa basjoo root ball at the right depth. Fill with compost, press firmly and water immediately after planting. Place the pot in a sheltered, warm, light spot, but do protect the leaves from intense sun. Musa basjoo in the ground The Japanese fibre banana, can be planted in the ground! Prepare a large hole and loosen the soil. Plant Musa basjoo fairly deep (top of the root ball should be 10 cm below the top of the soil), so that it is well protected from frost. Humus-rich soil is excellent for the banana plant. Improve soil by working in some garden manure. After planting add some granulated cow manure and water well. Choose a spot in full sun. The soil should never be let to dry out, even in winter.

The compost around the roots should always be kept rather moist, so it is important to water regularly. However, Musa basjoo detests ‘wet feet’, so always provide adequate drainage. From spring until autumn regularly add plant food when watering. The plant enjoys a lot of heat. Musa basjoo in the winter In the winter the leaves above ground can suffer from frost. But this variety will always grow again from the roots. In a growing season it is possible for the plant to grow a few metres. If you are growing your banana tree in a tub, it can be moved indoors in a cool, preferably light, frost-free place and be moved outside again once there are no signs of frost. In the garden it can be protected from frost by covering it with a fleece or reed matting if no protection is given the plant can die back to the ground.

Musa basjoo comes originally from Japan and can tolerate the cold rather well. In our climate this exotic plant can be easily be cultivated. New shoots can grow from the base of the banana plant, which will give you even more of the lovely banana leaves. Plant in the garden and create a tropical appearance.