How to Grow Bananas From Corms

Measure the corm and prepare a planting pot that is as wide as the diameter of the corm. Fill the pot with well-draining potting soil. Add a little perlite to improve soil drainage.

Inspect the corm for signs of decay or mildew, which is common. Gently rub mildew off with a dry cloth.

Make a shallow hole in the planting medium and place the corm in the soil. It should be deep enough to have the top slightly visible above the soil.

Water the soil well immediately after planting the corm. Later, let the top 2 inches of soil dry before you water the corm as it is rooting. Overwatering and keeping the soil consistently wet is likely to cause rotting.

Place the pot in a warm area with bright indirect light. The corm usually produces roots in four to eight weeks. The presence of roots is indicated by the appearance of leaf shoots.

Fertilize the new plants with quarter-strength, regular, balanced fertilizer. Let the plant become further established before transplanting it to a permanent site in the garden. Bananas require temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for optimal growth.

Transplant the banana plant into well-drained soil a pH of 5.0 or lower. If your garden has poorly drained soil, it is best to use a raised bed for the banana plant, Purdue Cooperative Extension notes.