Musa Tropicana: indoor dwarf banana plant care, propagation & flowering
Keeping a Musa Tropicana dwarf banana indoors helps bring jungle vibes to any room. These relatively uncomplicated houseplants make a beautiful, exotic statement piece.
Whilst Musa acuminata ‘Tropicana’ is a robust and resilient plant, it does require regular attention. Keep reading to find out where this plant comes from and what to bear in mind when planting, caring for and propagating it.
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Musa Tropicana: origin and characteristics
The name ‘Musa Tropicana’ is not a species name, but rather the common name for a plant belonging to the genus Musa, which comprises bananas and plantains. Musa is just one of three genera in the banana family known as Musaceae. Also known as the Super Dwarf Cavendish banana plant or Nathan banana plant, Musa Tropicana belongs to the Cavendish subgroup and the species Musa acuminata. It has large, lanceolate leaves that are dark green and glossy, lending it an exotic vibe, which makes sense considering its origins are in Asia and Australia. Despite its nickname, a Super Dwarf Cavendish plant can grow up to 2m tall and 80cm wide. These plants grow upright and will regularly form rhizomatous runners with which you can propagate them. They develop pod-shaped flowers between July and October. Although Musa appear tree-like, they have false trunks that consist of non-woody leaf stalks and are therefore considered herbs.
Planting a Super Dwarf Cavendish
With origins in the tropics, Musa Tropicana plants are accustomed to plenty of sunlight, warmth and humus-rich soil. It is important to find a location for your banana plant that mimics these conditions. Choose a spot that gets bright indirect sunlight, especially in summer. Keep the room temperature between 16 and 25 °C and the humidity at a minimum of 50%. Do not allow the room temperature to drop below 10 °C, as these plants are sensitive to cold and can suffer cold injury. Whilst indoor banana plants can cope with the occasional draught, consistent draughts are not good for them in the long run. When caught in strong draughts, the leaves tend to fray. Although this may bother some plant lovers, it does not harm the plant.
In summer, you can plant your Musa Tropicana in your garden. Find a wind-protected spot and allow your potted banana plant to slowly acclimatise to the stronger sun before planting it outside. Read more about how to plant and care for bananas in your own garden in our article on the topic.
As for soil conditions, Musa Tropicana plants are easy to please. A loose, nutrient-rich substrate, such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost, will work well. To loosen the soil, work coarse sand or gravel into it. Banana plants are sensitive to waterlogging, so ensure your plant’s container has a drainage hole and a drainage layer of gravel or clay shards. Another way to prevent waterlogging is to plant your banana plant in a clay pot, as the clay will absorb and store some water. Choose a pot with a minimum diameter of 20cm and do not plant your Cavendish banana plant too deeply. After placing it in the substrate, press down on the soil so that the plant sits firmly in the pot.
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Musa Tropicana care
The key to Musa acuminata ‘Tropicana’ care is regular watering. Keep the substrate moist but not wet. We suggest watering little but often. Banana plants also love high humidity, so mist yours with rainwater from time to time. If your plant’s leaves begin to droop or discolour, it is probably thirsty; simply water your plant again regularly and it should perk right up. On the other hand, if your Musa Tropicana starts losing entire leaves, this is a sign that it is too wet or that its location is too cold or dark. If this is the case, consider repotting your plant and giving it fresh soil or moving it elsewhere.
Super Dwarf Cavendish banana plants grow quickly, which is why it is important to repot them every 1 to 2 years. The new pot should be 15 to 20cm larger than the previous pot, but no more. If the new pot is too large, your banana plant will struggle to regain the necessary stability in its new pot. Remember, a banana plant always needs a pot with a drainage hole and a drainage layer.
With such rapid growth, a banana plant needs a lot of nutrients. Fertilise your Musa Tropicana every 2 weeks from March to October with a high-quality liquid fertiliser. Our organic Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food is a fitting choice. It is easy to apply while watering and contains all the important nutrients a Musa Tropicana needs to thrive.
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It is natural for banana plant leaves to become discoloured and frayed over time to some degree. The lower foliage tends to brown along the edges and die after some time. Feel free to cut off any of the lower leaves that become unsightly. To do this, cut the leaf so that at least 5cm is still attached to the false trunk. Do not cut the leaves off directly at the stem, as this will cause the injured area to be susceptible to disease. After a short time, the banana plant will shed the last 5cm itself, after which you can easily remove the dead pieces.
Like most houseplants, Musa Tropicana is susceptible to pests. Scale insects (Coccoidea) and spider mites (Tetranychidae) are the most common. To remove the latter, cover the plant’s soil and give the plant’s crown a shower to wash away the spider mites. You may need to do this a few times to eliminate the infestation.
Propagation
Musa Tropicana can be propagated by seed or by rhizomes. The second method is typically easier, as banana plants regularly sprout new plants, or pups, from their underground rhizomes. Once a banana plant pup reaches 10 to 15cm high, you can separate it from the mother plant and propagate it into a new banana plant indoors. To do this, just follow these steps:
- Choose a pot that has a drainage hole and is slightly larger than the banana tree pup. Fill it with high-quality, nutrient-rich substrate.
- Remove the pup from the mother plant using a sharp knife.
- Place the banana plant pup in the prepared pot and lightly press the soil down.
- Put your freshly planted Musa Tropicana somewhere with plenty of indirect sunlight and without draughts.
- Follow the care instructions described above and enjoy your new banana plant.
Are Musa Tropicanas hardy?
No, Musa acuminata ‘Tropicana’ are not hardy. They are sensitive to frost and do not tolerate temperatures below freezing. If you plan on keeping your Musa Tropicana outdoors over the summer, be sure to bring your banana plant indoors well before temperatures drop below 0 °C.
Toxicity
Musa Tropicana banana plants are not poisonous to humans or pets.
