Banana 'Raja Puri': The Cold-Hardy, Fast-Fruiting Dessert Banana

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• Family:	Musaceae
  Genus:	Musa (MEW-suh) (Info)
  Species:	acuminata (ah-kew-min-AY-tuh) (Info)
  Cultivar:	Raja Puri
  Additional cultivar information:	(aka Rajapuri)

Overview

Banana 'Raja Puri' (also 'Rajapuri') is a **legendary cultivar among temperate-zone banana growers** for its **exceptional cold hardiness, rapid fruiting cycle, and delicious fruit**. A selection of Musa acuminata (AAA group), it originates from India and has become the go-to banana for gardeners pushing the limits in Zones 7b–10.

Cold Hardiness & Speed

'Raja Puri' is **root-hardy to Zone 7b (5–10°F / -15 to -12°C with heavy mulch)**—the pseudostem dies back but the corm survives. More remarkably, it can **fruit in 9–12 months from planting** (vs. 15–24 months for most bananas), making it possible to get a crop in a single growing season in marginal climates if started early indoors.

Plant & Fruit

The plant is **dwarf to medium (8–12 feet tall)**, with a sturdy pseudostem and broad, tropical leaves (tattered by wind). The fruit bunches are **compact, with 6–8 hands of medium-sized (5–6 inch), sweet, creamy, dessert-quality bananas**—excellent flavor, no seeds. The fruit ripens on the plant (no need to cut green).

Culture & Keys to Success

**Full sun; rich, moist, well-drained soil; heavy feeding (high N, K); abundant water.** In Zones 8–10, it fruits reliably outdoors. In Zone 7, start in large pots indoors (Feb–Mar), transplant after frost, mulch heavily in winter. **Cut back fruited stalk to ground after harvest** (each stalk fruits once). Pups (suckers) continue the clump. The ultimate banana for impatient, cold-climate tropical fruit enthusiasts.