How to Grow and Cook Banana Plants

Flowering banana — A flowering banana at the Garden Pool.

Bananas are one of the most beautiful plants that can be added to your garden. The large green leaves provide a lush tropical feel to any growing environment.

Banana plants are easy to grow and adapt well to many climates. They can be grown in sun or partial shade, container grown on a patio or greenhouse, and even indoors by a sunny warm window. In the landscape they can grow to about 12-14 feet tall. Outdoor in zone 7 or higher (depending on variety). Bananas plants have large leaves and require regular watering. It is best to mulch around the banana plants. Bananas plants will mature in 9 months and fruit within 12-18 months of planting.

Instructional Video

Recorded LIVE
Who: Alex Peña
When: August 24th, 2013
Where: The Garden Pool in Mesa, AZ
Length: 67 minutes
This class was recorded live in a classroom setting. To be a part of our classes in person, join our meetup group.

Banana Nutrition

The Banana fruit is a great source for Potassium, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C. Bananas are a great source of dietary fiber. The chart on the right is the nutritional facts for one medium cavendish banana. The data is based on a typical diet.

Banana Recipes

Easy Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 Banana

1 Cup Peach Yogurt

1 Cup of Orange Juice

1 Cup of Ice

Directions:

Peel Banana, and add orange juice, peach yogurt and ice in blender. Puree on high for 3 minutes.

Served Chilled – Makes 1 Serving

Healthy Banana Bars

Ingredients:

2 Large Bananas

¼ Cup Dried Cranberries
¼ Cup Sliced Almonds
½ Teaspoon of Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 Cups Rolled Oats

Directions:

Peel the bananas and mash in a bowl until no chunks remain. Stir in the cinnamon vanilla and oats. Next mix in cranberries and almonds. Then spread evenly into 9×9-inch square baking pan. Heat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a dish with olive oil. Bake for 30 minutes. Cut into squares.

Served at room temp.– Makes 8 Servings

Sun Dried Bananas

Ingredients:

Bananas

Orange Juice

Directions:

Peel Bananas and slice in 1/8 inch pieces.

Dip into orange juice, to prevent banana from browning. Place on cooling rack in a sun oven or directly in the sun on a screen. Keep checking in on the bananas. Allow the bananas to dry until they are crispy. You will have a wonderful snack in about five hours.

Fun Bananas Facts

-They are the largest herb in the world and are slightly radioactive!
-Bananas have no cholesterol or sodium!
-Also Bananas are America’s number one consumed fruit and is Wal-Mart’s most sold single item!

Grow Your Own LIVE Banana Plant!

Click here to shop our Live Banana Plant and help support Garden Pool. The price includes FREE shipping in the continental US.