Do Banana Peels Help Plants Grow?

Banana peels provide essential nutrients to plants.

In the 18th century, gardeners would bury banana peels beneath rose bushes to grow healthier, lovelier roses, but they didn't know why this technique worked. In 2011, growers still use banana peels in the garden with great results, but now they know why it works.

Nutrients

Banana peels are rich in calcium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, potash and sodium which promote healthier plants and strong trunks and stems. Because banana peels decompose quickly, the nutrients are readily available to the plants.

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting or worm composting is another efficient way to turn banana peels into plant food. Red worms are raised in a bed of moist newspaper and peat moss and fed table scraps like banana peels and their casting or waste are used as fertilizer.

Liquid Form

Banana peels can be pureed with water and used as a liquid fertilizer that is quickly taken up by plants. This liquid mixture is highly beneficial to indoor plants.

References

• Farmer's Almanac: Banana Peels Can Even Shine Your Shoes; Deborah Tukua; 2006
• Ohio State University Extension: Gardening Folklore
• Michigan State University Extension: Worm Composting