A well cared for ornamental banana unrolls one leaf after the other and easily grows to a height of up to three meters, even in this country. Not only against the background of their size, the question of a suitable winter location arises. She doesn't know any frost from her tropical home and doesn't want to experience it here either!

The ornamental banana comes from the warm south and already has a problem with temperatures below 15°C

Summer outdoors

It is too cold in winter and too dry in summer. Local living conditions in the wild are just not for this evergreen tropical plant. The blazing sun and wind also destroy the appearance of the leaves, causing them to dry up or tear.

It is therefore the "normal case" that a Musa is more likely to be found in bright rooms than outside. It should only “summer” outside if a good, sheltered location is available. She will stay indoors during the winter, but possibly with a change of location.

Winter rest is often spent cooler

During the main growing season, ornamental bananas like temperatures of up to 30 °C. At the same time, high humidity is required. Under these conditions you can watch it grow. Of course, she will thirst for water every day and will crave further care.

In winter, the hard-working plant can shift down a gear and take things slower. Support the plant by giving it a cooler but still light spot. 10 to 18 °C is ideal.

If the plant is still outside, it should be brought in as soon as the outside temperature falls permanently below 15 °C. At the very latest, however, before the first frost.

Better too warm than too cool

No room in your home offers the ideal temperature? Then choose a warmer room instead of a cooler one. If necessary, the ornamental banana can also remain in the living room. The problem could be the dry heating air. It is imperative that appropriate measures are taken to counteract this.

  • Don't place the plant too close to the heater
  • Spray with water at least once a week
  • Set out bowls of water
  • Use humidifier

tips

When the air is particularly warm and dry, the ornamental banana can be colonized by spider mites in no time. Check them out regularly. In particular, look at the undersides of the leaves.

care during dormancy

Even during the hibernation, the potting soil must always be slightly moist. However, since the plant uses and evaporates less water in winter than in summer, it no longer needs to be watered as frequently and plentifully. Don't stop fertilizing. Once a month the plant needs new nutrients.

In early spring, around March, Ensete ventricosum, as the botanical name is, is repotted. If offshoots, so-called Kindel, have formed close to the trunk, you can now carefully separate them from the mother plant and plant them separately. How to get new ornamental bananas.

Category:

Indoor plants