Last Updated on August 3, 2023
Have you ever wanted to grow your own bananas? Did you know the scientific name for bananas is “Musa Sapientum”? This means the fruit of the wise men.
Bananas used to be grown commercially in Florida, but today most of the bananas in the USA come from Hawaii.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own delicious Florida bananas in your backyard.
Grow Your Own Bananas in Florida
Check out our tips and tricks on how to grow the best and most delicious Florida bananas.
Benefits of Banana Plants
Having banana plants in your backyard can actually offer many benefits you may not initially think of.
A row of banana plants can act as a screen with their large leaves to block the wind and sun from your backyard.
They can also use the water found in waste drains, especially if you have an outdoor shower near your pool.
Planting Tips
Make sure to choose a recommended strain of bananas and one that is least resistant to fungi.
Recommended types include “Goldfinger”, “Mona Lisa”, “Sweet Heart”, and “Platano Burro” which is the recommended type of plantains.
Bananas do best when they are planted in moist and fertile soil in a spot that is protected from wind and in direct sunlight.
Since most Florida soil contains a lot of sand, the banana plants must be fertilized frequently (about 4 to 6 times a year).
Banana plants also need to be watered quite frequently, however, it’s important that the soil is not constantly wet since the plant will then be overwatered.
Bananas have a root system known as “rhizomatous” which means it puts up new stalks on the same plant every year. This is why it may seem like a banana plant is multiplying like crazy.
For optimal growth, it’s recommended that you limit your plant to three or four stalks that are from different years to get as much fruit as possible.
The tallest stalk should be the oldest and should be flowering and/or fruiting. The middle stalk should be one-half to one-third the size of the tallest.
Then there should be one or two short stalks that are six inches to three feet tall.
Recipes and Uses
Now that you have your own delicious bananas, you can make a number of recipes!
- Banana Bread
- Bananas Foster
- A delicious smoothie, like this one featuring mangoes!
- Banana Ice Cream
- Banana Nut Muffins
- Frozen Bananas dipped in chocolate for a cold and sweet treat!
- Banana Split
- Banana Pancakes
Learn more by checking out the University of Florida’s tips for banana planting here!
Interested in other produce that is easy to find in Florida? Check out:
- What Makes Florida Avocados Delicious!
- Why Florida Strawberries are the Berry Best!
- Delicious and Nutritious Florida Orange Juice
- 4 Ways to Use an Entire Watermelon
- An Authentic Florida Favorite: Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins
- Peachy Keen! Florida Peaches are Back & Sweeter Than Ever
- An Authentic Florida Favorite: Southern Hill Farms
- Robert is Here … and Has Been HERE since 1959!
- Where to Find the Best U-Pick Farms in Florida!
- Nothing Beats Fantastic Florida Farmers Markets
How much fertilizer do put on at a time?