Native & adapted

Banana

Musa species and hybrids

Also known as Banana tree · Plantain · Chuối

Fast, lush and surprisingly productive in Phoenix when fed heavily and given afternoon shade. Frost burns the leaves, but the roots regrow each spring.

EdibleFruitingFast growingTropical lookFrost tender

Landscape layersUnderstory

Mature size

6–15 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide clump; dwarf types stay near 6 ft

Climate fit

Urban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b

Plant spacing

8–10 ft between clumps

Frost

Leaves damaged at 32°F; stems killed below about 28°F. Roots survive and resprout.

Special categories

EDIBLE

Hardiness guidance

USDA 9b–11; leaves burn at 32°F and stems die below about 28°F

Winter chill

None

Typical harvest

A stem flowers about 9 to 15 months after it emerges. Bunches take another 3 to 4 months; cut when the fruit is plump and the first one yellows.

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Soil chemistry

Rich, fast-draining soil with lots of compost. Feed heavily during the warm months.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

Sheltered from wind and frost, ideally in a courtyard or against an east or north wall with overhead cover.

Cold hardiness

Cover on every frost night

Leaves, stems and fruit are damaged at 32°F, and below about 28°F plants die to the ground. The roots resprout, but you lose any bunch in progress, so wrap the stems on any frost night if you want fruit.

Leaves and wood: damaged below 32°F · Blossoms and fruit: below 32°F

Heat tolerance

Shade from late-afternoon sun

Takes heat if watered heavily, but leaves scorch once it's above about 98°F. In Phoenix an east-side spot with afternoon shade and wind shelter keeps leaves from shredding and crisping.

Sources:

ask.ifas.ufl.edu , phoenixtropicals.com

Right plant, right place

Will Banana grow at your Arizona property?

Choose cold-tolerant varieties such as Ice Cream (Blue Java), Raja Puri or Dwarf Orinoco for the best odds of a crop before frost.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b.

Light

Sun exposure

Morning sun with afternoon shade in summer. Plants in full west sun shred and scorch.

Water

Irrigation

High in summer: water deeply two to three times a week. Very little in winter, when cold wet roots rot.

Fruit set

Pollination

Not needed; edible bananas set fruit without pollination.

Harvest

How to use it

Fresh dessert bananas, or cooking types and plantains for frying and baking.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Banana thrive

1
Feed with a high-potassium fertilizer or compost every month from April to September.
2
Keep three or four stems per clump and remove extra pups.
3
Cut each stem down after it fruits; it will not fruit again.
4
Leave frost-burned leaves on until spring as insulation, then trim.

Read the horticultural reference ↗