Banana Trees Need 14 Frost-Free Months to Fruit

The Problem

Six-year-old bananas hit by winter frost each year never fruit.

Requirement

Bananas need 14 consecutive frost-free months to flower and fruit. Any freeze resets the clock to zero.

Solution

Only in truly frost-free climates (or with substantial winter protection) will bananas produce fruit. Otherwise, they are ornamental perennials that regrow from the corm each spring.