Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo). 10-gallon pot, 6-ft plant

Hardy Banana Plant (Musa Basjoo)
Will grow to 6+ ft this year

Winter hardy to USDA Zone 5 because the roots, if well mulched, will survive winter temperatures of -10°F (-23C).

This year it can reach 6 ft or more (from the current size plant) in height. This is a large, fast-growing plant (technically, an herbaceous perennial) that grows to 6-14′ tall.

It is best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Plants tolerate and often appreciate some part shade or light filtered sun in the heat of the day. Best growth occurs with consistently moist soils that do not dry out.

Fertilize plants regularly during the growing season. Site plants in areas protected from strong winds which can severely damage the large leaves.

In USDA Zones 5-7, plant growth will die to the ground in winter (at 40°F additional growth stops and at 32°F the leaves die and tree can be cut back to 2-3′).
Options for overwintering include:
(1) For plants grown directly in the ground, cut stems back to 2′ after frost kills the leaves, wrap stems with burlap, bubble wrap or plastic and apply a thick mulch to the ground to protect the roots;
(2) For container plants, bring container indoors in fall before first frost and place in a large sunny room for overwintering as a houseplant, with reduced water and fertilization, or trim foliage and store container in the basement in a cool frost free corner, providing just an occasional touch of moisture in winter to prevent the soils from totally drying out;
(3) For large plants (whether grown directly in the ground or in containers), cut foliage back in fall after first frost, trim plus wrap roots in plastic and store plants in a cool, dark, frost-free corner of the basement until spring.

Fruit is small, green and inedible. Ornamental foliage lends an exotic and tropical aura to the landscape. Plants produce huge paddle-shaped leaves that grow to 2′ wide and to 6’ long.

10-gallon pot
USDA zone 5