Not everyone has a banana plant in their garden. Fortunately, the plant is also perennial. Unfortunately, the perennial does not easily survive the winter. Due to the southern origin, frost protection is essential. This guide will inform you about all important measures.

There are definitely hardy banana plants

The variety is crucial

Banana trees are divided into three different categories depending on their origin:

  • Hardy perennials (plants from temperate zones)
  • Perennials from subtropical areas
  • Perennials from tropical areas

While hardy perennials can cope quite well with cold temperatures, specimens from the tropics have to be kept warm.

Note: Irrespective of whether they are cultivated outdoors or in containers and regardless of their origin, all banana plants take a three-month growth break in winter. Cool temperatures are very important during this time. Otherwise there will be no new shoots next spring.

Banana plants overwinter

Frost protection with rabbit wire

  1. Cut the banana plant back to 30 cm
  2. Drive four wooden stakes into the ground around the plant
  3. about a meter away from the trunk
  4. wrap with rabbit wire
  5. Fill enclosure with foliage

Rain barrel as winter protection

  1. Sawing the bottom out of the rain barrel
  2. Cut back the banana plant
  3. Put the rain barrel over the trunk
  4. Place wooden slats under the rain barrel for better ventilation

transplant

If your house or garage has enough capacity to overwinter the banana in closed rooms, you should overwinter them in a bucket:

  1. dig up plant
  2. put in a bucket
  3. Cut back either immediately or in the spring

If you want to save space, it also makes sense to only overwinter the rhizomes, as the banana dries out in winter one way or another:

  1. dig up plant
  2. Cut off the rhizomes with a spade
  3. Fill the box with bark mulch
  4. put plant inside
  5. put a damp cloth over it
  6. store in a cool place (5 to 10°C).
  7. Moisten and replace the cloth regularly

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Herbs