Musa basjoo, the Japanese banana tree
Musa basjoo
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 8a (-12.2°C ≤ T° < -9.4°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Musaceae
- Genus
- Musa
- Species
- Musa basjoo
Other name:Musa japonica
If the Japanese banana plant were a contestant on Secret Story, its secret would probably be "I'm a grass". Or "I'm not Japanese". In fact, this plant of the Musaceae family is native to China. And despite its large size and woody stem, Musa basjoo is neither a shrub nor a palm tree!
How to recognize the Japanese banana, Musa basjoo?
Musa basjoo is an herbaceous perennial with an arborescent habit. It can grow up to five metres tall in all directions.
Seeds of interlocking leaves make up the stipe, a woody green and brown stem.
This false trunk is crowned by a tuft of bright green leaves with a pronounced central vein. In mature Japanese banana trees, the leaf blades reach two meters in length and 70 centimeters in width. The paddle-shaped leaves are whole. However, they break up when buffeted by the wind. The limbs then resemble the palms of the Areca catechu.
Flowering takes place in summer. A brown to purple bract appears at the top of the stipe. It shelters yellow or cream flowers.
These give rise to bunches of green and yellow bananas. But these fruits are not edible. They contain mostly latex and black seeds.
Musa basjoo is not toxic tohumans or animals. But be careful if you have a cat! Apartment tigers love to nibble its foliage!
Our care tips
Japanese Bananas need the right combination of sun, warmth and humidity to thrive.
Watering
The Japanese Banana likes freshness. Watering should keep its roots cool and dry. In summer, wait until the soil surface has dried to one centimetre before watering. In winter, let the substrate dry out between watering.
Pournon-calcareous water (rainwater, for example) at room temperature over the soil.
Pournon-calcareous water (rainwater, for example) at room temperature over the soil.
After each watering, empty the stagnant water into the saucer.
Misting
Spray foliage with water at room temperature. Do not use tap water. It is often too hard and leaves marks on the leaves.
Fogging temporarily increases humidity and combats the appearance of parasites.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Musa basjoo to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Obtain a pierced plastic or terracotta pot. Line the bottom with clay balls or gravel to optimize drainage.
Your Japanese banana appreciates rich, light soils, such as green potting soil enriched with perlite or sand. Pour in a layer of substrate, then plant your subject in the center. Fill in with the rest of the mixture and tamp down.
Water for the first time to eliminate air bubbles and encourage rooting.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Add nutrients with a fertilizer for foliage plants.
Prune
Cut back dry stems and wilted leaves. You can use a pair of scissors or pruning shears. Remember to clean them beforehand to prevent the spread of disease.
Planting
Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.
Choose a sunny location sheltered from the wind.
Start by digging a hole two or three times as wide as the root ball. Leave the root ball to soak while you work.
Place some compost at the bottom of the hole. If your soil is heavy, add some pebbles to facilitate drainage. Plant your plant in the middle and fill in with a mixture of soil, potting mix and sand. Take care not to bury the collar.
Dig a trough around the shrub and water. The water will compact the soil and eliminate air pockets.
If you want to limit weed growth and preserve moisture, mulch the base of your plant with organic matter.
Sowing
Once the risk of frost has passed, you can sow your Musa basjoo seeds.
Soak seeds for 48 hours in lukewarm water.
Prepare a one-liter pot for each seed, filled with special potting soil and perlite. Plant the seed two centimetres deep, without burying it completely. Cover and place the pots in a room with a temperature above 20 degrees.
Keep the substrate moist until the seeds begin to germinate.
Protection
When temperatures are low, protect your plant from the cold.
Cut the leaves flush with the ground to prevent them from freezing. Don't worry—they'll grow back!
For better protection, you can also cover the base with organic mulch (dead leaves, straw...).
For better protection, you can also cover the base with organic mulch (dead leaves, straw...).
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn pots
- Categories
- IndoorHerbaceous
- Tags
- Hard to killHardy
- Origin
- East Asia
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 8a (-12.2°C ≤ T° < -9.4°C)
- Leaf color
- Light green
- Flower colors
- Light greenYellow
- Fruit color
- Light green
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
