Many people try growing Banana Plants Indoors and fail because they made small mistakes in the care routine.
It is easy to grow a banana plant as an indoor houseplant.
The first step is, you need to understand the growing requirements. An indoor banana plant needs plenty of light + frequent water + humidity and a warm climate.
If you full fill these criteria then no one can stop you from growing banana plants as an indoor plants.
The main hurdle is the cooler climate of your home and the low light in grow room.
Banana plants need a good amount of light + a little bit of nutrient support and water. We all know banana plants bring luck and fortune when grown indoors.
Its beautiful long leaves release energy waves that keep your stress level low and energize your spirit.
To know more about its growing needs and maintenance read the below guide.
Light Needs
Banana plants need a good amount of light every day. There are some varieties that need less light. But still, 10 hours of bright light is the minimum need.
If you Can arrange 10 hours of bright light then go for this plant otherwise choose other fortune plants like lucky bamboo.
The best place will be the closest to the sunny window. You need to rotate the pot every day so that every inch of the plant can get an equal amount of light.
If you do not rotate the pot then one side of the plant gets full light and the other side gets limited light.
This unbalance of light distribution causes leggy growth and the small size of leaves with weak plants. In some cases, your plant can tilt towards one side.
Potting Soil
You need to use potting soil that is acidic in nature. The pH of the soil must be between 5.5 to 6.5.
This helps banana plant roots to absorb a good amount of nutrients and water from the soil.
Also, add humus to the soil and if you do not have it then add compost. The aim is to increase the nutritional value of the soil.
This also supplies continuous nutrients to the roots and your banana plant grows perfectly fine in all seasons.
The second quality must be fast draining power with good aeration. Fast draining protects your plant roots from extra water and also from root fungus.
Whereas aeration properties of soil increase the intake of fresh oxygen which is necessary to keep the roots healthy.
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Watering
The banana plant needs lots of water to grow but this does not mean you keep the soil waterlogged. It needs a good amount of moisture for 365 days.
It is only possible when you water your plant frequently. Do not allow the potting soil to dry at any cost or you will lose your plant.
To avoid overwatering issues, check the soil moisture before watering the plant. You can do this with your finger or by using a soil moisture meter.
You must use clean water for watering growing banana plants indoors. It should be free from heavy minerals.
If the tap water in your area is suitable for drinking and making food then you can use it for watering plants.
Otherwise, filtered water is the best choice.
Fertilizing
Banana plants need lots of nutrients every month. You can full fill their nutritional needs by using balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Such fertilizers contain nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous in equal amounts. In some formulas, you can get a little high percentage of nitrogen which is normal.
Fertilize your banana plant in the spring and summer seasons. Do not use the nutrient supplement in the winter season. This will result in overfertilization.
If you are using compost in your potting soil then you may need to use the nutrient supplements in less quantity.
Because the compost itself contains a good amount of nitrogen.
Temperature & Humidity
Humidity is an essential thing for the plant. Banana plants growing indoors need 40 to 65% humidity because they grow small in size.
Whereas the temperature must be between 70 to 95 degrees F. If the temperature drops below 70 degrees F your banana plant will stop growing.
This stop on the growth cycle is deadly for the plant. To avoid such conditions, bring your plant indoors when the outside temperature drops below 70 degrees F.
Indoors you can install a room temperature monitor device to measure the grow room temperature. Set alarm at 70 F.
It will trigger an alarm when the temperature drops below the set value.
Repotting
The total volume of banana plant indoor pot must be a minimum of 14 gallons. Because it is large size plant and even if grows short, it has a large root ball.
Moreover, the large size pots give support to the plant and this prevents falling over.
You need to repot it once in 3 years and you can also propagate at this time.
What is the Growth rate of banana plants growing indoors?
Indoor banana plants grow 1.5 feet to 2 feet tall. This is their full matured size and it takes time to achieve this height.
But in most cases due to low light banana plants indoors cannot grow taller than 1 foot.
Light is the main thing that helps this plant to make its food and grow taller. Nutrient supplements come in second place.
When you should bring the banana plant indoors?
It is not a cold-tolerant plant which means the plant tissues get damaged on cold days. To avoid this damage, move your plant inside.
Because it cannot stand healthy in low temperatures.
Below 70 degrees F is not recommended for the plant. Always keep eye on the plant’s health when the night temperature starts dropping.
Conclusion
To grow a banana plant indoors, you need to arrange a good amount of bright light for it. Morning sunlight will be best for keeping the plant healthy and active.
Secondly, keep the humidity level above 40% and place the plant pot in a warm location. Its roots are soft and need warmth for proper functioning.
Remember that the cold temperature damages the roots and this damage is irreversible.
