How Do You Prep Your Banana Tree For Winter If You Want It To Fruit Next Year?

Question

This has been a confusing topic to research for me. We bought a house with an established banana tree. I do not know if it has fruited in the past so we cut it down last December when we moved in. It grew back but did not fruit. What should we do this year? Its about 7ft tall so it stays outside. There are also several pups so I need help figuring out what to do with it!

Answer 1

You first need to find out what type of banana tree do you have as some do not bear fruit. Ornamental banana trees come in various sizes but most do not produce edible fruit (a few develop small, sweet edible bananas). In areas with mild temperatures during the winter, banana trees survive without damage from freezing temperatures. Tropical banana trees will bear fruit, propagate via suckers from the rhizome (horizontal underground stem) and then die. A local plant nursery may be able to assist identifying the cultivar that you have.

Answer 2

It likely didn't fruit previously. Bananas need 10 to 12 months in a frost free environment to flower and fruit. You did the right thing in cutting it back. Here is more about their care:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-8/zone-8-banana-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/banana/growing-cold-hardy-bananas.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/banana/dividing-banana-pups.htm