Banana Musa Dwarf Cavendish

Light

Put your Banana Musa where it can get lots of light - but not directly from the sun. East or west windows are best to avoid leaf burn.

Water

Water the plant once the top 2-4 inches of soil are dry. Make sure it drains well so the roots don’t sit in water - which can cause them to rot.

Humidity

To keep it moist around your plant, either use a tray with pebbles and water or spray its leaves. This is key when the air inside is dry.

Soil

Use soil that drains well and is right for tropical plants. Slightly sour, its pH from 5.5 to 6.5 - is ideal.

Temperature

This plant enjoys warmth - from 65-77 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep it away from cold spots and heaters.

Fertilizer

During the active growth months, give your plant liquid food every 1 to 2 weeks. Cut back to once a month in the cold months when it grows slower.

Pruning

Take off dead or damaged leaves to help your plant stay healthy and grow. It doesn’t make fruit - so you don’t need to cut much.

Repotting

Young plants grow fast - so change their pots 2 or 3 times in the first year. Choose bigger pots to help the roots grow right.

When It Arrives

When you first get your Banana Musa, give it a good water to settle any soil moved around during its trip and to make sure it has enough water after traveling. After that first watering - wait until the top 2 inches of soil feel dry before giving it more water.

During the First Year

Young Banana Musa plants that are growing need water more often. Dip your finger in the dirt up to the first joint every couple of days to see if it’s dry. If so, it needs water. Pour water until it drips from the pot’s base to ensure it reaches the roots. Don’t let the plant stay in standing water. Pour out any water left in the dish below the pot after watering to stop root rot.

After the First Year

As your plant gets older, it won’t need water as much. Keep checking the soil’s wetness, but you might notice it can go longer without needing water. Cut back on watering in winter when it grows less. During this time, only water when the soil feels dry further down - about 4 inches deep.

Extra Tips

Aim to keep the soil moist - not wet. Banana Musa likes humid air, so think about misting the leaves or using a tray with water to boost humidity, especially in dry rooms.

When It Arrives

It’s smart to wait about 2-4 weeks before you start feeding your plant after it arrives. This helps it get used to its new home without the extra stress of taking in food.

During the First Year

In its first year, as your plant is settling in and growing fast, it needs food often. Use a simple, all-purpose liquid fertilizer for indoor plants every 1 to 2 weeks when it’s growing season (spring to summer). Select a well-mixed plant feed, adhering to the label’s guidance. However, starting with a lesser amount is wise, as overfeeding can damage the plant. Always water the plant before adding nutrients. This ensures the feed blends properly with the water and avoids root harm. Then, put the food on your plant as the directions say.

After the First Year

When the plant gets older - you can cut down on feeding to just once a month when it’s growing. In the quiet times of fall and winter, you can stop feeding or do it lightly every 6-8 weeks if your plant still seems to be growing. Keep using a balanced food, or you might want to try one with more phosphorus if your plant is big and healthy to help it grow better.

Extra Tips

Your Banana Musa will show if it needs more or less food. Too much food can turn leaves yellow and stop growth - while not enough food can make leaves light, thin, and slow down growth.

When to Prune

Cut back your Banana Musa in the spring or early summer. This is when it grows most - so it heals fast from cutting.

Steps to Prune

First, look for any leaves that are dead, hurt, or sick. You want to take these off first since they can take energy from the plant and may spread sickness. Use clean, sharp scissors or shears. Clean them first with rubbing alcohol or a mix of bleach and water (1:9) to stop disease spread.

Take Off Dead or Hurt Leaves: Snip these leaves at the bottom, close to the main stem. Be careful not to yank on the leaves because this could harm the healthy parts. If your Musa Tropicana is too big or out of shape, you can cut back healthy leaves to control its size. Always cut near the bottom of the leaf stem, and try to keep the plant looking balanced as you go.

After cutting, clean up any fallen leaves or bits around the plant. This helps keep pests away and keeps the place neat. Water the plant a bit after cutting to help it deal with the stress and start healing. Keep the plant in a light place but not in direct sunlight, and watch it for signs of stress or sickness in the next few days.

Extra Tips

Since theBanana Musa doesn’t make fruit and is mainly for its leaves, it usually doesn’t need much cutting back. Do light, regular cuts as needed to take off not wanted or sick leaves. Wear gardening gloves if you like - to keep your hands safe from sharp parts and possible plant irritants.

What type of light does Banana Musa need?

Banana Musa likes bright - but not direct, sun. It can take a bit of direct sun, but do this slowly to dodge burnt leaves.

How often should I water my banana plant?

Water your banana tree when the top layer of soil, about 2-4 inches deep, is dry. Ensure water flows out the pot’s base, but don’t let the tree stand in water.

What is the ideal temperature for Banana Musa?

This plant loves warm places, best between 64-77°F. Keep it away from cold under 50°F, as this can hurt the plant.

Does Banana Musa need special soil?

To thrive, it requires fertile, well-draining soil with a slight acidity (pH 5.5 to 6.5). Mixing in perlite or sand helps.

How do I fertilize this plant?

Feed Banana Musa with a common liquid plant food every 1 to 2 weeks when it’s growing. Cut back on feeding in the colder months.

Can I keep Banana Musa in low humidity?

It likes damp air, but dry air can be dealt with by putting it on a wet tray or by often spraying water to stop harm to leaves.

How do I prune my plant?

For Dwarf Cavendish, cut off dead or hurt leaves and trim to keep it the size you want. Snip near the leaf’s base and do not cut too much since it might not fruit.

What should I do when the plant arrives?

When your plant comes, water it well to settle the soil. Then - wait until the top soil dries before watering again.