Trim Banana Tree

To trim or not to trim banana tree plants is a subject open to quite a lot of controversy and person opinions. Some gardeners prefer to let their banana plants take care of themselves, just like they would in the jungle. Others meticulously trim away any withered part and hate the sight of wind-torn banana leaves.    

It is natural for banana leaves to be torn by the wind and there is no practical reason to do a banana tree trim as soon as this happens. As long as the leaf is green, it is still alive and carrying out important photosynthesis. Torn banana leaves can however look unsightly and it is therefore common to remove them, especially if only one leaf is torn and the rest is intact. If you remove a lot of leaves the plant will suffer, since it needs its leaves to provide it with energy. An overzealous banana tree trim can consequently result in smaller banana yields and an inhibited growth rate.

When a leaf turns yellow, the chlorophyll is gone and the leaf can no longer carry out any photosynthesis. It can however be a good idea to leave it on the plant for a few more days, since this will give your banana plant a chance to really suck out all the nutrients from the discarded leaf. Doing this will decrease the need for fertilizers.

Banana tree trim for the cold season

If you know that your banana variant is unable to cope with the winter in your region, you can bring it indoors to protect it from the cold. You do not have to bring it into your living room; placing it in a garage or insulated shed is normally enough. The leaves cannot survive the winter since there is too little light for them and trimming them away is therefore recommended. Wait until the banana plant starts to notice the decrease in temperature before you do your banana tree trim to give the plant a chance to suck in nutrients from the leaves.

Start your banana tree trim session by removing the leaves where they fork at the trunk. Use a sharp leave and remove as much as possible. The next step is to take your spade and dig out a 10 inch deep circle, roughly 12 inches from the base of the plant. Pull up the trunk and the rhizome from the soil and place your banana tree in the sheltered spot. It will stay dormant during the winter and should not be given any water.