Overwintering Banana Plants: Methods for Georgia Gardens

Given mild winter and sheltered location, banana trees occasionally survive Atlanta winters untended. More often, stems and roots turn to mush by spring. Gardeners liking the tropical look but not replacement costs can try preservation methods.

My friend Kathy Henderson recalls digging tall bananas in fall, dragging whole plant under house beside fireplace base. Marginal warmth kept bananas safe. Some bring big plants into basement/garage but it's hugely messy and unwieldy.

If bananas in a spot not raked by frigid January winds, try in-ground protection. Cut stalk to 12 inches from ground, cover with discarded 3-gallon plastic pot. Pile thick pine straw over pot; hope temperatures don't go lower than teens. With luck, trunk base survives, sprouts new growth late April.

Another option for smaller plants: tie leaves with string, pot up, place indoors by sunny window. Water occasionally but don't let soil become soggy.

Probably easiest: remove daughter plants ("pups") sprouting near base in fall. Each pup planted in 3-gallon pot, kept as houseplant until frost-free spring.

banana leaves tied up