How to Care for Indoor Musa Basjoo
The Musa basjoo is a banana tree that will grow outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 10 or indoors in a container in any zone. Native to Japan, the Japanese banana, which is the common name, grows 6 to 14 feet tall with a spread of the same. The herbaceous perennial produces creamy white to yellow flowers with proper care when grown indoors. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Plant the Musa basjoo in a container with drainage holes on the bottom. Select a container that is at least 12 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep. Use a commercial potting soil with good drainage.
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2
Place the container in a window where it will receive at least six hours of sun during the day between April and October. Banana plants will do well with partial shade during the day as long as the plant receives the recommended amount of sunlight. Ideal temperatures are about 65 degrees F.
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3
Water the soil so that it is moist, but not wet. Insert your finger into the top 1 inch of soil to test the dryness. If the soil is almost dry, water the plant thoroughly. Generally, the plant will need water once a week. The plant will need less water during the winter because it won’t be actively growing.
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4
Fertilize the Musa basjoo with a well-balanced fertilizer once a month from April to September. From late fall through the end of winter, do not fertilize the plant.
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5
Cut the banana plant back 2 feet after the first frost of fall if you are going to overwinter the plant in the container. If you let the plant rest in its present location, you don’t need to prune it back.
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6
Place the plant container in a cool, dark basement where the plant won’t be subject to frost if you are overwintering the Musa basjoo. Only water the plant to keep the soil from completely drying out. Keep the plant in seclusion until spring, and then bring the plant back into the house to start growing again. Resume regular watering and fertilizing.
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