What's the ideal watering routine for banana plants?
Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Bananas are a delicate balance between a high need for water, and being overwatered - which is drowning. My first bananas died from waterlogged soil, roots need oxygen just like they need moisture. Use the "finger test", if the soil is dry to the top 2 inches you heartily water it. Sandy soils can dry out much quicker, whereas, clay soils should not be over-watered.
Soil Moisture Checks
- Use a soil probe to assess dampness at 6-inch depth
- Morning watering reduces evaporation loss
- Mulch with rice hulls to maintain even moisture
- Avoid evening watering to deter fungal growth
Seasonal Adjustments
- Summer: Water 4x weekly if above 90°F (32°C)
- Monsoon: Skip watering during heavy rains
- Winter: Reduce to weekly in zones below 60°F (15°C)
- Spring: Monitor new leaf growth for increased demand
Plants in containers exhibit their needs visibly. In the summer in Phoenix, my Dwarf Cavendish in a 25-gallon container gets watered every day without fail. When I am gone on vacation, I will use self-watering containers with reservoirs. A neighbor once taught me a painful lesson regarding irrigating in sandy soil. Irrigation should be scheduled for the soil absorption rate of the plants, not rigidly scheduled at all times.
Problem Solving
- Brown leaf edges: Increase humidity with pebble trays
- Stunted growth: Test soil salinity from hard water
- Split pseudostems: Reduce watering after heavy rains
- Ant infestations: Fix chronic overwatering attracting pests
Advanced growers make use of tensiometers. I borrowed a tensiometer from a citrus farmer to fine-tune my watering routine. These devices, which cost around $80, measure the moisture tension in your root zone. For those that are more DIY, a bamboo stick will work just fine. Just insert the stick about 8 inches deep, if the soil clings to the stick, you can wait. If it comes out clean, it's thirsty.
Read the full article: How to Grow Bananas: Expert Tips for Bountiful Harvests
