Growing Musa Coccinea

Temperature Limitations

• The scarlet banana remains evergreen in tropical climates where the temperatures never approach freezing, or don't even drop as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Its love of warmth allows it to grow well indoors near a sunny or bright, indirectly lit window. Outdoors, winter frost kills aboveground foliage back to the roots. As long as the soil doesn't freeze, the roots survive and the foliage rejuvenates in spring. Grow scarlet banana outdoors year round where the temperatures never get colder than 15 F, such as in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8b and warmer. Summer temperatures up to 100 F are easily tolerated.

Soil Conditions

• Like other bananas, scarlet banana excels in a warm, moist, fertile soil that has good drainage. A sandy loam that's acidic in pH and rich in organic matter such as compost or manure is ideal. During the warmth of spring to autumn, the soil needs to be constantly but evenly moist, never soggy. Soggy or flooded soil leads to root rot and plant death. Indoors, grow scarlet banana in a spacious container filled with peat-based potting mix. A blend of 50 percent potting mix and 50 percent compost is excellent. The container must have bottom drainage holes.

Growth Insight

• The more warmth and light the scarlet banana experiences, the denser the growth and more abundant the production of the showy red flowers and pink clusters of fruits. High humidity and no wind keeps the leaves intact and avoids yellow or brown edges. This plant will grow leaves in shady conditions, but flowering is retarded. Six or more hours of direct sun ensures ample heat and sun energy for development of flowers in summer. Once a stalk blooms and sets fruit, it dies. If you do not cut off the flower or fruit to use in a cut flower arrangement, cut the entire stalk back to the ground once flower or fruits deteriorate.

Tips

• Applying a balanced water soluble fertilizer--10-10-10 suffices--during active growth from late spring to early fall boosts the growth rate and lushness of the scarlet banana. Do not fertilize if the plant is dormant, soil temperatures drop below 70 F or it's late fall or winter. Placing a 3- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch over the soil around the banana reduces weeds, conserves soil moisture and provides nutrients to the roots. Scattering compost atop the soil is beneficial, too. Repot houseplant specimens in early to mid-spring, dividing root clumps and planting into fresh potting mix and compost blend in an appropriately spacious container.