leasmom

Does anyone know what banana plants would grow well in containers and be cold hardy? I live in zone 6b but we are having snow storm after snow storm and my new Dwarf Cavendish has suffered greatly. What would be a good choice for a cold hardy container banana? Thanks.

sbl

There are many that should grow in containers in zone 6 if they are protected from the cold--like in a home or greenhouse. You have to understand that in winter growth will be slow and rot will be one of your biggest enemies. Bananas need to be dry --almost like cactus in winter.

There are some that even grow bananas outside in TN--they just dig them up and store them under the house like cordwood for the winter.

LilRaverBoi

If it's in a pot, why do you need it to be cold hardy? Just bring it inside. The only time I would be concerned about having a cold hardy banana is if I were trying to overwinter it in the ground. The whole advantage to having things in a container is so they can be easily transported indoors if/when it gets cold.

Dwarf orinoco would be a fair choice though. I've heard they're pretty cold hardy and they're small enough to be in a pot.

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leasmom

My Dwarf Cavendish froze inside the house on top of my desk with the heat on 60 inside the home but it was snowing outside and the temp. dropped to the 20's and it was frozen, how it froze, I don't know. Since then I've had the leaves falling off and theres only two left. Thats why I figured if I got one that could survive when the temp drops it'll do better when the temp. drops outside and in.

Abnshrek

One thing to remember is the temp you have you have your thermostat @ is @ the height of thermostat, not on the floor. So having a young banana plant on a bar stool is going to help keep it warmer :^) Hope that helps?

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Bananaman88

Don't see how it could have frozen since you state that the indoor temp was 60. Strange. I would say the more likely culprit is rot, especially if you are seeing leaves fall off.

It will be very difficult for you to find a hardy banana if you want to leave it outdoors in the pot all winter. Anything in a pot is more prone to freezing than if it is in the ground because the root system is above ground and the air circulating around the pot is cold. Bananas and anything tropical in nature will be especially prone to freeze damage if left in a container and outdoors during the winter. As Bryan, mentioned, bring it indoors if you have the room.

leasmom

Its odd I know because it wasn't anywhere near a window but it was frozen, the leaves everything and it warmed up once I placed it near heat but then the leaves got steamed when I placed a pot near it. Then the leaves starting falling off a few days later. I'm gonna start over with a different banana plant. I'm gonna keep them indoors until it gets warmer and then move them outside still in pots.

Abnshrek

As long as the corm is solid you may keep that one around to give it a fighting chance of a come back. I've had itty-bitty banana plants I over watered have the leaves die and once it dried out I got new chutes. So one just can't be certain somethings dead till it warms up & you might be amazed :^)

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Tropicallvr

The banana will probably be a zone or two less hardy in a pot than in the ground.

leasmom

I had it under the lamp today and it looks alot better, more straight. I hope it keeps going until I can get some Banana Fuel for it.

leasmom

A new leaf opened up over night-