Banana palm is a very beautiful indoor perennial. The false trunk (stem) of this plant is formed from the so-called leaf petioles. During growth, the leaves curl together, forming such an unusual trunk. The banana palm is unique in that, with proper care, one flower of this plant can be in bloom for up to three to four months. Blooming palm tree will add exotic notes to any interior, recalling the hot countries and summer vacations.
Growing this plant at home is not as difficult as it may seem to a beginner grower. The main thing is to know some of the subtleties of caring for a banana tree.
Those who decide to purchase a young plant of a banana palm, first of all, need to find a warm and well-lit place for it. If the plan of the florist includes obtaining fruits from a banana palm, then you need to take care of additional lighting, without which fruiting is unlikely to be possible. The plant should be lit at least twelve hours a day. The air temperature should not fall below twenty-five degrees Celsius. A slight decrease in temperature at night is acceptable, but no more than five degrees.
If you plan to grow a banana tree exclusively for decoration, it will perfectly withstand the average room temperature, while it will not need additional lighting, and the banana palm will bloom for a long time. With proper care, the plant every seven to eight days pleases the owners with a new beautiful leaf. This rapid development makes the banana tree truly unique.
Banana palms are heat-loving plants, and if the air temperature in the room where they are kept drops below sixteen degrees, this will negatively affect the growth and development of green pets.
Watering a banana palm requires a special approach: in summer, the plant needs frequent and plentiful watering, and in the winter, as the soil dries in the pot. Watering should be carried out only with settled water, and such water should be sedimented for at least ten to twelve hours. You also need to ensure that the water for irrigation is not cold. The best option is water, which is three to five degrees warmer than room temperature.
If the air is too dry in the room, then the banana palm sharply slows down the development, while the foliage on the plant may grow dull and begin to dry out along the edges. Therefore, you should carefully monitor the humidity in the room where the plant is located.
The banana palm is very fond of various water procedures, such as spraying, wiping the leaves with a damp cloth and even a real shower. If you regularly arrange a palm bath, then it will delight the owners with juicy green leaves and a beautiful appearance.
There is another way using which you can greatly facilitate palm care. The method is to place the pot with the plant on a large tray and cover it with expanded clay, pebbles or wet moss - that is, any material that retains moisture. This approach will create a palm tree almost ideal conditions for growth and development.