Unlike other varieties, they can survive in poor soil, under full sun, or even partial shade. Caution, placing banana plants near windows may be hazardous because of potential toppling during strong winds. Growing in multi-layered crop plantings alongside the bananas, the plants recreate a landscape of Hawai'i's ancestors where heavy bunches of fruit cascade from above in a multitudinous display of colors, shapes, and sizes. The 9 Best Trees for Landscaping Around Pools - The Spruce From an ornamental standpoint, several banana varieties are favored for their ability to withstand colder temperatures. Sigatoka does not kill the plant but causes premature defoliation which results in reduced crop yield. Plant growth slows below 60F (16C) and stops at 50F (10C). Fresh leaves can be used as an emergency rain hat, as paper plates, or for grilling food in a leaf-parcel. The tree has bright red fruits that are oval in shape. Most bananas have a sweet flavor when ripe; exceptions to this are cooking bananas and plantains. It is not recommended for planting in the home landscape. 'Dwarf Cavendish' produces large bunches of medium-sized fruit. It is a tall-growing clone tolerant to cool conditions with small, sweet fruit. Juvenile leaves will have some reddish-purple markings, but later more mature leaves will be all green. Choosing Banana Plants For Zone 9 Landscapes - Gardening Know How Symptoms of chilling injury (temperatures below 60F/16C but above 32F/0C) include failure of the flowering stalk or fruit bunch to emerge from the pseudostem (called choking), development of a dull yellow or greenish-gray color to ripening fruit, distorted fruit shape, and an increase in fruit rotting. Salinity: Banana plants do not grow or fruit well in saline soils. Florida is close to the tropics, and the abundance of water there creates a humid, semi-tropical climate. The ones in the supermarket are usually just one or two different kinds. For more information, please contact your local UF/IFAS Extension agent. Staking the plant with a wooden or bamboo stake is optional. The Graham mango tree does not tolerate frost or freezing temperatures, so it should be kept inside during the winter months.