Having a banana plant in your garden or on your balcony is a total showstopper. With their massive, lush leaves and impressive size, they bring an instant tropical vibe to any space. If yours is getting a bit crowded, here are my best tips and a step-by-step guide on how to repot them like a pro.
The Right Soil
Banana plants hail from tropical Asia, where they grow into massive trees (which is why you’ll often hear them called “banana trees”). In their natural habitat, it’s warm, humid, and the soil is incredibly rich in organic matter but drains well.
In our cooler climate , your plant is going to crave plenty of sun. However, try to avoid that scorching midday heat; those giant leaves lose water fast and can actually get sunburned. For the soil , a standard high-quality potting mix works fine, but I recommend mixing in some expanded clay pebbles to prevent waterlogging. Adding coconut coir, sand, peat, or compost is also a great way to keep the soil airy and well-draining.
When to Repot
Because banana plants are such fast growers, they usually need a new home every two to three years. Pick a pot that’s about 20% larger than the old one—generally, that means a diameter increase of about 6 to 8 inches.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get your new, larger pot ready and place a piece of broken pottery or a stone over the drainage hole.
- Fill the pot about one-third of the way with your fresh soil mix.
- Carefully remove the banana plant from its current pot.
- Gently loosen some of the old soil from the rhizomes (the thick root structures).
- Place the root ball into the new pot and start filling the gaps with soil.
- Every now and then, give the pot a gentle tap on the ground to help the soil settle deep into the roots.
- Press the soil down firmly as you go.
- Place the pot on a matching saucer and give it a good, thorough watering.
The Best Timing
In the U.S. and similar climates, banana plants really only do their heavy lifting in the summer. Their growing season kicks off around April or May and wraps up in the fall when it’s time to move them to their winter quarters . Spring is hands-down the best time to repot, giving the plant all summer to settle into its new home.
Dealing with “Pups” (Offshoots)
If your banana plant has started growing offshoots —often called “pups”—repotting is the perfect time to separate them. Make sure the little guys have at least four leaves and their own root systems before you move them. Use a sharp, clean knife to cut the pup away from the main rhizome. To prevent infection, you can treat the cut surface with a little wood ash or even chamomile tea as a natural disinfectant. Then, just pot them up individually!
Pro Tip: To make sure the water drains properly, don’t plug the drainage hole completely. Position your pottery shard or stone so it’s slightly arched or “hollow,” allowing water to flow out freely while keeping the soil in.
