Hardy Banana

 Hardy Banana

Musa basjoo

Hardy Banana is the most cold hardy Banana tree in the world. The foliage is only hardy to the freezing mark, however the roots are hardy to -20°F when protected. They only flower/fruit in frost free regions, and the fruits are inedible. This tree is grown in regions with freezing winters as a tropical like perennial that dies to the ground every winter. They can put up anywhere from 6'-14' in a single season from the ground in Spring till Fall. When planted in the ground in USDA Zones 5-8 they must be protected around the base with extra thick layering of mulch. Placing a tarp or heated cone over it also increases the odds of survival, but most have luck with simply heavy mulch. The trunk must be cut nearly completely to the base or 2"-3" from the base, because the stem/trunk is mostly water and a freeze will cause the stem to act like a wick and freeze to the roots killing the entire plant. Ensuring little to no trunk and heavy mulching will give it the best chance to survive. Musa basjoo during the growing season prefers consistently moist but well draining soils as root rot can occur if wet. When grown as a perennial they have zero drought tolerance, but mature specimens in frost free regions will tolerate some drought however. 

Hardiness: USDA Zones: 5-11 

Herbaceous perennial in USDA Zones 5-8; Evergreen in USDA Zones 9 and warmer

Mature Size: 6'-14' tall; 20'+ tall in frost free regions

Light: Full Sun-Part Shade

Water:  Moist Well Draining

Grows best in consistently moist well draining soils. Mature specimens in frost free regions have some drought tolerance; Specimens in frost regions have zero drought tolerance. Root rot will occur is soils remain completely saturated.

Soils: Not particular with specific pH level; May struggle in high alkaline soils. Grows best in moist well draining soils. They tend to rot in clay soils that don't dry quickly, amending the clay soil or placing on terrain with good drainage is best.

Deciduous/Evergreen: Deciduous/Herbaceous in USDA Zones 5-8; Evergreen in USDA Zones 9 and Warmer