You Can Plant Red Banana Trees That Taste Just Like Raspberries

There are over a thousand different kinds of bananas in the world. Yes, you heard that right. When most people in the Western World think of bananas, they think of Cavendish bananas, long, yellow, and mildly sweet. Perhaps a few would think of plantains, another fairly familiar type of bananas. But there are also red banana trees that originate from Southeast Asia. These fruits bear a stunning shade of red and they taste similar to Cavendish bananas with a hint of raspberries.

The Health Benefits

Like yellow bananas, red bananas are rich in potassium and vitamin C as well as other vital nutrients like magnesium and vitamin B6. In fact, studies found that eating magnesium and potassium could help lower and regulate blood pressure, so red bananas may be a good addition to your diet. [1] Additionally, these fruits are rich in antioxidants, containing more antioxidants than their yellow counterparts. [2]

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How to Plant Red Banana Trees

Red banana trees, also known as Musa Acuminata, are actually a misnomer. The plant is really an evergreen perennial, but it’s still commonly dubbed a tree. Whatever it’s called, these plants are a gorgeous addition to any garden with their deep red fruit and white or yellow flowers. There are different types of red banana trees, and many don’t produce edible fruit, but they are all stunning ornamental plants. Fortunately, they are not difficult to maintain.

These trees ideally need temperate environments like in Southern California, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. Also, locate them where there’s direct sunlight, especially during their nine to 15-month growing period. Therefore, plant the red banana trees about three to four weeks after the last frost and protect them from temperatures below 57 degrees. Prune weaker limbs to make way for stronger limbs.

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When it comes to soil, always ensure it is moist without saturating the ground since these coils rot the roots. Additionally, choose well-drained, mildly acidic soil — with pH between 5.5 and 6.5 — for the red banana trees to thrive. Plus, ensure you fertilize the plant with lots of nutrients regularly.

Keep in mind that red banana trees are sensitive to strong winds and hail, which could damage their leaves. Therefore, plant the tree in an area that’s protected from wind or stake it to keep it upright during storms. And when you wrap it up for the winter, you may have to trim some stems or bring it inside. Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit could damage or kill the plant. [3] As the trees grow, some blooms will develop. It takes about four months for the flowers to become fruits, which group into bunches called hands, with about 10 to 20 bananas per each.

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How to Eat Red Bananas

You could buy red banana tree seeds online or at a local gardening shop. It’s ideal to keep seedlings in pots indoors for three years before planting them in your garden. Depending on the type you choose, the bananas may or may not be edible, so be sure to research before eating. Either way, you’ll get a stunning plant in your yard. But for some varieties, some of the flowers and shoots are edible. [4]

And for edible red bananas themselves, they could be eaten like any yellow banana, in smoothies, oatmeal, with peanut butter, and frozen and blended into ice cream. Then there are the plethora of banana baked goods, like bread, muffins, and pancakes. While red bananas are similar to yellow, red ones are smaller and denser with a slightly sweeter taste. Hope you enjoy!

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