A banana plant only fruits once and then dies. But it will produce pups (offspring) before it dies. These pups grow into the next generation of fruiting plants.
Florence said:
A banana plant only fruits once and then dies. But it will produce pups (offspring) before it dies. These pups grow into the next generation of fruiting plants.
Exactly. But keep in mind the new plants (pups) might need more space and good soil to thrive.
Banana trees only fruit once per trunk. After harvesting the bananas, you need to cut the main trunk so the new shoots can grow and produce fruit.
Wait, it can grow fruit indoors?
ParkerQuinn said:
Wait, it can grow fruit indoors?
That’s what I was thinking too!
ParkerQuinn said:
Wait, it can grow fruit indoors?
If it’s warm enough, gets plenty of light, and has good nutrition, it can fruit indoors. Mine is outside but probably won’t fruit because it doesn’t get hot enough where I live.
@Foster
Bananas need a lot of direct sunlight to produce fruit. Indoors, even near a window, might not provide enough light. A greenhouse could work though.
@Foster
I live up north, so I didn’t even think it was possible. This is exciting!
It could be limited by the size of its pot. Smaller containers can restrict its growth and fruiting.
So, is your banana just taking a break? Always sad to see fruiting plants slow down.
It probably just wants to be outside.
Banana plants only produce as much fruit as they can support. Indoor bananas don’t get as much light or space as they would outside. You got fruit, so I’d consider it a win! Mine has never even flowered in nine years, but it’s a dwarf variety and I have to cut it back every season.
@Kirby
My peach tree overdid it one year, grew too many peaches, and a big branch snapped off. It killed the whole tree. So much for supporting only what they can handle!
Vale said:
@Kirby
My peach tree overdid it one year, grew too many peaches, and a big branch snapped off. It killed the whole tree. So much for supporting only what they can handle!
Good point! That’s why thinning fruit trees is important. It prevents overproduction and reduces branch stress. Wild trees don’t have these issues like our cultivated varieties do.
@Kirby
Indoor air tends to be drier, which might also be affecting your plant compared to being outside.
Not enough bats to pollinate the flowers?
It might have stopped fruiting due to a lack of pollination or fertilization. Bananas need heat, light, nutrients, and sometimes pollinators to produce consistently.
Bananas need tropical conditions. Indoors, you’ll need a strong grow light (12+ hours a day), high humidity (tricky indoors without causing mold), and manual pollination with a brush.
That’s one sad-looking banana plant. I’m surprised it fruited at all indoors.