Miniature Banana Tree

If you want a miniature banana tree for you home, there are many varieties to choose among. Be careful however, because the fact that a banana variety has the word “dwarf” in its common name does not automatically mean that it is really small – it only means that it is a dwarf compared to normal banana plants. Since many ordinary banana varieties can produce 5-8 m tall stems, a banana variant can be 1.5 metre tall and still be considered a “dwarf”.

Super dwarf Banana Tree

If you want a really small miniature banana tree, you can for instance pick the so called “Super Dwarf”. This banana tree will rarely exceed 1 metre (3 feet) in height when grown indoors and is therefore suitable for most homes. It produces wide, green leaves and a small collection of bananas. This miniature banana tree is not only for indoor purposes; it is great for parts of your garden where a huge banana plant would not fit in. It is hardy in zone 9-10 (USA zoning) and can reach a maximal height of 1.5 metres (5 feet) when grown outdoors. Use plenty of mulch to protect the rhizome during the winter. If you live in even colder areas, it is advisable to grow your miniature banana tree in a container and take it indoors each fall.

Unlike most other bananas, the Super Dwarf can tolerate lower light conditions and should ideally not be placed in full sun. If it receives a lot of light, it will be more compact and may develop red spotting. Unfortunately, this miniature banana tree is sensitive to spider mites and checking the leaves regularly is recommended.

Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree

Another popular miniature banana tree is the Dwarf Cavendish. Just like its bigger relatives, the Dwarf Cavendish produces delicious bananas that will tolerate being transported. When Panama wilt diseased wiped out the Gros Michel cultivar during the mid 20th century, Cavendish took its place as the primary export banana. If you have ever eaten bananas outside the tropics after 1960, chances are high that what you have tasted is Cavendish bananas. Musa acuminata "Dwarf Cavendish" will need a lot of water and plenty of sun, and responds well to potassium rich fertilizers. It normally stays smaller than 2 meters (7 feet), especially when grown indoors, and will appreciate full sun or partial shade. The flower is of a bright yellow color and the foliage has a smooth texture. This miniature banana tree prefers acidic soil and should never be forced to stand in completely dry soil since it is a moist-loving banana. It cannot reproduce sexually through seeds, so if you want to keep this miniature banana tree you have to obtain a rhizome or a sucker.