Researching for my first banana plant
 

My husband is Dutch Indonesian, and I make several recipes that use banana leaves as a wrapper. His favorite is Lemper (he spells it Lumper). So far, I've had to purchase frozen banana leaves, which I have to defrost and then, because they split so easily, I kind of boil them. They are also expensive.

So I've wanted to grow a banana tree for a long time, just for the leaves.

Since I live in North Central Idaho, I originally researched the Musa basjoo, because it is so hardy. But I have no place on our property that doesn't get huge winds. So I built a greenhouse. (haha - ok, so it was for more than just the banana tree, but that's what I told my husband).

Now I'm on the research path for the best kind of banana tree to grow for my uses, and to learn all about taking care of it.


UPDATE 1/14/2024: Well, I bought a dwarf cavendish and it's been flourishing in my greenhouse. BUT..... this cold snap we're having is putting it in jeopardy, I think. I have 2 heaters in my greenhouse, and I also put up 6 mil plastic on both ends and dividing the greenhouse down the middle. But yesterday morning, it was 33F in my greenhouse. So yesterday, I pushed my avocado trees and banana plant closer together, and added a heat lamp over them. With yesterday's sun, it got up to 62! Woohoo. But, this morning it was 48 inside the greenhouse. Is it doomed?

Re: Researching for my first banana plant
 

Welcome to the Jungle....:woohoonaner:


You may try any dwarf variety such as dwarf cavendish.
These varieties have a small footprint and are easy to grow.

Basjoo is an excellent choice though for outdoor growing.

Re: Researching for my first banana plant
 

On another thought, (adding to what cincinnana had to say) for a plant you will need to overwinter anyways, why not grow potted truly tiny banana plant(s)? they will be short enough to easily wrestle through the door!

Re: Researching for my first banana plant
 

basjoo would work well... so much easier to chop down and mulch instead of bringing inside for a looong winter
could you plant it on the lee side of the house from the prevailing winds?

Re: Researching for my first banana plant
 

Unfortunately, our winds are pretty erratic... sometimes from the north, sometimes from the south, occasionally from the east or west (but not as often).

Re: Researching for my first banana plant
 

Dwarf Brazilian. Keep it simple.