Banana 'Lacatan' (Musa acuminata)
Regular price $18.95Discover the Philippines' best-tasting banana, the Lacatan! This fast-growing banana variety brings the tropics to your home or garden, boasting glossy green leaves and golden-fleshed fruit with a sweet, aromatic burst. Take the risk and taste an adventure - the Lacatan Banana is sure to be an unforgettable experience!
The Lacatan (or Lakatan) is native to the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. It is most similar to Grand Nain and Double Mahoi but fruits faster than both.
The Lacatan Banana offers delicious flavor and a unique texture. Enjoy its sweet and aromatic nature, or use the glossy jungle-green leaves to wrap food. This variety offers larger fruit than the Cavendish, with a deeper, more golden flesh. Lacatan Bananas are renowned for their taste and are very popular among local growers. They grow up to 5-9 feet tall and thrive in warm climates, making them perfect for container gardens.
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.
