How to propagate banana plants?

The popularity of exotic gardens, and therefore banana trees, continues to grow in recent years. It must be said that with its mere presence, this giant herbaceous plant brings an undeniable tropical atmosphere to any space. Especially since banana trees benefit from rapid growth, quickly becoming one of the garden's must-have ornaments.

While banana trees can now be found in garden centres, it is also entirely possible to propagate them yourself. Sowing seeds is one option, but this method requires a lot of patience and can be unpredictable. Moreover, some varieties of banana trees do not produce seeds, particularly Cavendish bananas. The simplest way to propagate a banana tree remains taking an offshoot. This method is accessible even to beginner gardeners and is also very quick with immediate results.

Here’s how to propagate a banana tree by collecting an offshoot.

How to recognise a banana tree offshoot?

Banana trees are rhizomatous herbaceous plants, meaning they produce rhizomes. These running roots multiply from the mother plant of the banana tree, forming new shoots in turn, known as offsets. Most often, the first offsets of a banana tree appear once it has developed sufficiently. Also, a healthy banana tree, benefiting from good growing conditions (fertilisation, watering, etc.), will inevitably produce offsets!

To propagate a banana tree, you must first be able to spot its offsets. Rest assured, there’s nothing complicated about it—just take a look at this photo:

Young banana tree offshoot © FRUIT – Wikimedia

As you’ll have gathered, the offsets of the mother plant are attached to it via its roots. To propagate the banana tree, you must separate the young shoot from the mother plant, a process known as rhizome division.

Solenne’s note: If the offsets are left in place, the banana tree will gradually form a magnificent clump. Once it has fruited, the mother plant dies and disappears, and the new shoots take its place, producing new offsets in turn.

When to propagate a banana tree?

Collect the offsets when the banana tree is in full growth, that is, when temperatures are sufficiently high to ensure good recovery.

Banana tree offshoot ready for propagation © Tony Buser - Flickr

Similarly, you must be patient to allow the offshoot to grow before separating it from the mother pseudostem. Ideally, wait until it has reached at least 40 cm in height, and has produced 4 or 5 healthy leaves. Indeed, an offshoot barely 10 cm tall will struggle to establish itself once separated from the mother plant as it will have few roots. When given time to develop, the young shoot will have accumulated enough reserves and already produced some roots to help it restart quickly.

How to separate a banana tree offshoot?

First and foremost, it’s important to emphasise the hygiene essential throughout the banana tree propagation process. Ensure you clean your tools and pots before starting the operation, to avoid transmitting diseases to your banana tree.

Materials

1 hoe
1 secateurs or 1 knife
Cinnamon powder or charcoal
Mature compost
crushed horn
1 large pot, 30 cm in diameter
clay pebbles

Dividing the offsets

Start by removing some of the soil around the young shoot you wish to separate from the mother plant. This way, you can check for the presence and condition of its roots
If they are healthy, carefully loosen the roots of the offshoot using the hoe, until the rhizome is visible
To avoid damaging the offshoot’s roots, dig with your hands until you locate the junction point between the offshoot and the mother plant
Then take a pair of secateurs or a sharp, sterilised knife, and make a clean cut as close as possible to the main pseudostem
To reduce evaporation, remove all the basal leaves from your offshoot, keeping only its central leaves
To minimise disease risks, dust the cut on the rhizome with cinnamon powder or charcoal

Solenne’s tip: At this stage, it is sometimes advised to let the offshoot dry before replanting. However, it’s best to avoid leaving the roots exposed to air and light for too long! Only let it dry for the time needed to prepare the planting hole or pot.