Banana 'Dwarf Orinoco' (Musa acuminata)

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Pot Size

The Dwarf Orinoco Banana Tree reaches all the heights of a great banana without stretching its trunk to any great height, only climbing an average of 6-10 ft. tall. This dwarf Musa sports cold tolerance to zones as low as 7b, far colder than the average banana. 

The easy-maintenance Orinoco grows best in full sun but will tolerate up to 30% shade under ideal conditions. It is a vigorous grower, sporting a thick trunk and an ability to fruit within a year. Visually, it is identifiable by its entirely green trunk. You can anticipate finding fruit bunches of up to 5 ‘hands’ of 6-inch long, angular bananas. 

The  Venezuela-native Orinoco creates outstanding fruit which ripens without splitting, thanks to its extra-thick skin. Those outstanding fruits can be heavy on the dwarf tree, so ensure to give it support when carrying large heads of fruit! Biting into a ripe Orinoco bears a silky, sweet experience with a hint of a strawberry undertone. You can eat it out of hand during its starchy green-yellow stage or ripen it to banana-bread brightness to experience its ideal sweetness. The Orinoco is a favorite for frying due to its ideal firmness. 

But don’t just take our word for it, fry up some home-grown fritters of your own!

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. 

Size Guide

Learn More about our plantable pot sizes & materials

Plastic-Free Packaging

Biodegradable, Compostable, and Recyclable

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