Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Jocelyn

Growing a banana tree (Musa spp.), including plantains, is more effective with the right setup and companions.

These Musaceae family plants grow best in full sun, loamy, well-drained soil, and a pH of 6.5–7.5. They thrive in USDA zones 9–11 with regular moisture and warmth.

Banana trees develop upright pseudostems from layered leaf sheaths, supported by rhizomes and fibrous roots.

Plant them in a circle with a compost-filled pit in the center to supply steady nutrients. This promotes healthy growth and spring blooms in white, orange, or purple.

Good companions include legumes, sweet potatoes, and marigolds, which enrich the soil, retain moisture, and deter pests.

Avoid maize and sugarcane, as they compete for nutrients and attract similar pests.

Benefits of Banana Companion Planting

Banana companion planting offers numerous advantages for gardeners and the environment. By incorporating various plants and thoughtful practices, you can create a thriving ecosystem in your garden.

Here are some of the key benefits:

• Increased Soil Fertility: Compost enriches the soil with organic material.
• Enhanced Food Production: Boosts the amount of food grown in the garden.
• Increased Biomass: Promotes greater plant growth and biomass.
• Efficient Greywater Use: Utilizes water from sinks and outdoor showers for irrigation.
• Wildlife Habitat Creation: Provides a suitable environment for animals and insects.
• Formation of Fertile Guild: Creates a fertile island that supports plant health.
• Plant Protection and Shade: Bananas protect other plants like papaya and provide shade.

Check out my other guides on companion planting:

• Sage companion plants
• Companion planting for arugula
• Companion planting with kohlrabi
• Companion plants for raspberries

Best Banana Companion Plants

I love growing banana plants in my garden. One cool thing about them is they like having companions. I always plant them in a circle with friends like sweet potatoes, comfrey, taro plant, and lemongrass.

These plants make great additions and help each other grow stronger and healthier. Each plant is different, but together, they create a wonderful garden circle.

1. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are great companion plants for bananas. These root vegetables have a leafy ground cover that helps retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds.

The climbers can grow on trellises near banana plants, providing shade in hot summers. The greens of sweet potatoes are edible and can be used in salads during the growing season.

2. Comfrey

I love growing Comfrey under my banana plants. This amazing flowering herb thrives in the shade provided by the leafy canopy.

It’s great because Comfrey adds minerals and nutrients to the soil, making it perfect for my ravenous banana plants.

Even though it’s meant for USDA zone 9, it still does well in the circle around my bananas. I also use Comfrey leaves as a compost activator to speed up the breakdown process.

It really helps my garden grow strong and healthy with all those wonderful deposits in the soil.

3. Plant Taro

Taro is a root vegetable that works great as a ground cover. It helps keep the soil from drying out and stops weeds from taking root.

Taro loves shade, so it fits perfectly under the canopy of leaves above. Just like sweet potatoes, taro acts as a living mulch to block sunlight and stop weeds from germinating.

4. Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a great culinary herb to plant near your bananas. It’s perfect for your greenhouse because it’s a natural pest deterrent and a weed deterrent.

Its aromatic smell keeps annoying bugs away, while also helping to stop weeds from growing and forming.

Growing & Caring Tips for Banana Plants

Banana plants are happiest in warm climates and need lots of sun. Though some species can handle the cold, it’s best to protect them from strong winds to keep their leaves safe.

During the growing season, which includes spring and fall, make sure to water them daily, especially in summer when they need more water.

Site Selection and Spacing

Choose a site with full sun for the best growth and fruit production. Banana plants can handle some light shade too. Keep them away from trees, buildings, and power lines.

Plant them near outdoor walls to act as sunscreen, but be cautious of toppling in strong winds. Pick the warmest area that doesn’t flood after summer rains.

Soil

Use deep, organically rich soil that drains well and is a bit acidic. Banana plants don’t like salt in the soil. Tropical rainforests are their natural home, so they need lots of moisture in the atmosphere.

Grouping them together helps retain moisture and prevents drought.

Water

To keep the soil moist but not saturated, water often. Be careful not to overwater, which can cause root rot. They need about 4 to 6 inches of water each month for normal growth and production.

Temperature and Humidity

Banana plants thrive in temperatures between 75 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Even hardy species can suffer in cold conditions, so it’s good to mist the leaves daily to keep the humidity up.

Fertilizer

Since banana plants are heavy feeders, they need regular fertilizing during the growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer and add compost yearly to increase the organic matter in the soil.

Pruning

Prune your banana plants so there is only one main stem before it bear fruit. Let one sucker grow for six to eight months to replace the main stem in the next season.

After the fruit is picked, cut the main stem back to 2.5 feet, and then remove the rest in a few weeks, leaving the replacement sucker intact.

FAQ’s

Q: What Not to Put Next to Bananas?

A: Apples, peaches, honeydew melons, and bananas themselves are ethylene-producing fruits. These fruits should not be stored near bananas. This is because they release a compound that can make bananas ripe too quickly.

Onions and other veggies are also not good companions for bananas. They can change the taste of bananas.

Q: Where Is the Best Place to Plant a Banana Tree?

A: Banana plants favor a location where they can soak in full sun and enjoy the heat and humidity for most of the day.

To keep them safe from strong wind, a sheltered area works best. The ground should have well-draining soil. Mixing compost, sand, and perlite will help.

Q: Do Banana Plants Attract Pests?

A: Banana plants often meet uninvited guests like fungus gnats. These tiny, dark bugs swarm around the soil when it’s wet. This can give your plants a bad hair day, leading to wilting and yellowing leaves.

Fruit flies with distinctive red eyes also love ripe bananas. They can turn your healthy green oasis into a pest paradise.

Q: Where Not to Plant a Banana Tree?

A: Banana trees love soil that is adaptable and full of fertilizers. But, avoid sites with extremely heavy soils. These soils have poor drainage, which banana trees don’t like.

Also, don’t plant near fruit trees. They take lots of nutrients, leaving the soil nutritionally poor for bananas.

Q: How Much Space Do Banana Trees Need?

A: Banana plants, large or dwarf, need space! Large banana varieties need to be planted about 12 ft apart. Dwarf banana plants, due to their small stature, can be planted close, around 8 ft apart.

This allows banana plants room for expansion and a healthy mat. Remember, some may even need up to 20 ft from other plants.

Conclusion

Growing bananas with companion plants has made my garden flourish. I’ve seen firsthand how the right plants can boost banana growth, keep pests away, and make the soil richer.

This method not only makes the garden look prettier but also makes it healthier. If you love gardening like I do, try companion planting with your bananas and enjoy watching them thrive!