Indian Dwarf Banana (Musa manii)

Regular price $29.95
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Pot Size

The Indian Dwarf Banana, a delightfully vibrant member of the Musaceae family along with all other Banana species, is a very rare, pot-friendly short Musa variety growing only 5 ft. tall on average. Considered critically endangered in the wild, the Musa mannii is rare to find in the wild, even in its native Himalayan habitat. 

Easy to grow and maintain, the cold-tolerant Indian Dwarf Banana prefers shade while young and thrives well in partial shade as it grows older. Unique in it’s growing habit, this majestic banana grows hermaphrodite basal flowers that produce seeds without pollination. The Indian Dwarf Banana has black-tinged pseudostems at around 4’ long. Once mature, the plant grows gorgeous pink-to-purple upright flower stalks. These stalks create bunches of tasty green-to-yellow 2-inch long fruits which grow in 3 hands, 1-3 fruits per row.

Plant Type: 
Fruit Tree / Evergreen Perennial Herb

Did you know? The banana plant is actually an evergreen perennial fruiting herb, not a tree! The large ‘trunk’ is actually a pseudostem, which is made of bulky, leafy layers that emerge and wither over time. Banana plants are fast-growing, and prone to reproducing new plants through mini clones known as suckers.

Harvest Season: 
Year-round, but most predominantly in the warm summer months. With good care, bananas are capable of producing fruit within the first 15-18 months of planting. It will take 9-15 months before the tree starts flowering and an additional 2-6 months before the bananas are ready to be picked. 

(Expect approximately 3-6 months less time from planting to fruit for Banana plants in our XL Pot Size)

Mature Size: 
Really varies depending on variety. Some dwarf banana varieties grow only to 2-3 ft where other banana types reach up to 40 ft tall. Most banana plants can be grown easily in containers and overwintered indoors if needed. We recommend a minimum 7 gal. planter size.

Banana plants are fast-growing, and prone to reproducing new plants through mini clones known as suckers.

Soil & Moisture: 
Thrives in ample humidity!  Bananas like to be planted high on a mound in rich, moist well-drained soil, nitrogen-rich soil, and humid conditions similar to their native areas tropical and subtropical regions. In well-drained soil, bananas can almost never get too much water, sunlight, and nutrients. Water regularly to maintain leaves and promote fruit production. 

Light Requirements: 
Full Sun, Part Shade

Self-Fertile: 
Yes

Growth Rate: 
Fast, Very Fast

Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 9-11 with frost protection; Patio/Greenhouse 4+

Propagation: 
Our bananas are grown from tissue cultures and are capable of fruiting within 1 year. 

Plants Ship
in Plantable Pots

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