Question
Where can I buy a hardy banana tree? I’m told that this tree doesn’t stand up to our winters. Is this true?
Answer
I’ve seen hardy banana trees for sale in garden centers in the Quebec City area.
The banana tree in question is Musa Basjoo (there are other hardy banana trees, but this is the most common). It’s called hardy because it survives frost and even snow in the mountains of its native northern India. However, there’s a difference between a climate where there’s sometimes frost and one where the ground freezes solid. In fact, its hardiness zone is 7. What’s more, the stores that sell this plant do not guarantee that it will survive the winter: it is offered “at your own risk”. Musa Basjoo is said to survive temperatures as low as -10°C (14?).
Growing in Canada
That said, yes, we’ve seen this plant survive winter in Canada… and without too much difficulty, either. The secret is quite simple: plant it deeper than normal, with its roots about 45 cm from the soil surface, and give it a very thick mulch in autumn. With a mulch of shredded leaves (I suggest them, as they give off heat whereas most other mulches don’t) 35 to 45 cm thick. Under such conditions, the soil will not freeze at all, or only on the surface, so there’s a good chance the plant will survive the winter.
It should be pointed out that in our climate, this plant is grown mainly for its foliage: it rarely flowers or produces fruit, which is not considered edible anyway… but let’s just say that it’s a bit of a shock to say that banana trees are grown in the open ground in our climate!
Produce Fruit Indoors
Indoors, some banana plants have been known to produce fruit, but this requires careful attention to several aspects and I wouldn’t count on it! Choose a dwarf variety to better manage space and make sure the plant receives sufficient light, ideally near a south-facing window or under grow lights for at least 12 hours a day. Maintain warm temperatures between 20-30°C (68-86°F) and high humidity, using a humidifier. Water regularly to keep the soil moist without saturating it, and fertilize monthly with a potassium-rich fertilizer. Re-pot every two to three years and, in the absence of pollinating insects, you’ll need to hand-pollinate the flowers.
Larry Hodgson published thousands of articles and 65 books over the course of his career, in both French and English. His son, Mathieu, has made it his mission to make his father’s writings accessible to the public.