The Best Plantain For Cooking
If you are a fan of plantains, you’ll love the Puerto Rican Plantain Banana variety. These bananas are known for their soft texture and sweet taste, unlike other varieties that are hard and bitter. This is why the Puerto Rican Plantain is a favorite of cooks worldwide.
One great thing about this variety is that it produces a lot of fruit, so you’ll always have plenty of plantains on hand to try in different recipes. Plus, your homegrown plantains will have a flavor that can’t be matched by store-bought ones.
You can even grow Puerto Rican Plantains indoors, as they thrive in containers. Their tropical leaves will add color and a touch of the island paradise feel to any room. When the weather is warmer, you can move your potted plantain tree outdoors to complement your outdoor furniture, or to frame entryways and pools.
Unlike other plantain varieties, the Puerto Rican Plantain is tough and resistant to wind, heat, and drought. It won’t take over your yard, growing only 6 to 8 feet tall. Simply choose the best spot in your yard, and enjoy the delicious fruit that will come from it.
When you receive your Puerto Rican Plantain, don’t be surprised if the leaves look a little crinkled. This is normal and can be fixed by removing any damaged leaves to stimulate new growth. You can even use the large leaves to wrap meat for your next barbeque.
Puerto Rican Plantains can be prepared in a variety of ways. You can fry them with butter and cinnamon for a sweet dessert, or bake and grill them with brown sugar. They’ll become even sweeter as they cook, making them perfect for adding to ice cream or sautéing with meat.
Planting & Care
Looking to add a touch of the tropics to your small space? Look no further than the plantain banana (Musa ‘Dwarf Puerto Rican’). This compact banana tree is perfect for tight spaces, as it only reaches a height of 8 feet and a width of 6 feet.
While this naturally sweet treat typically grows outdoors in USDA zones 9-11, it can also thrive in containers and be brought indoors during colder months for those in cooler climates. Just make sure to keep the tree above 30 degrees Fahrenheit, as it is only hardy down to this temperature.
Despite its smaller size, the plantain banana is more wind resistant than its larger counterparts thanks to its thicker and sturdier trunk. This makes it a great option for those living in areas with high winds.
When it comes to location, plantain bananas thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, they also appreciate some afternoon shade during the hottest summer months. These trees prefer rich, well-draining soil and regular watering, especially during times of heat and drought.
So if you’re looking to add a touch of the tropics to your small space, the plantain banana is the perfect choice.
Planting Instructions (In ground):
Here’s my rewritten version:
Proper planting is essential for the health and growth of your plant. Follow these steps to ensure a successful planting:
- Choose a suitable location and dig a hole that’s 2-3 times wider than the container (root ball) and equally deep. If the soil is heavy with clay, dig a slightly deeper hole and add sand or peat moss to improve drainage.
- Remove the plant from the container and gently comb through the root ball to loosen the roots.
- Place the plant upright in the center of the hole.
- Backfill the hole with a blend of 60% native soil and 40% garden soil or compost. If your soil is heavier, add sand, perlite, or peat moss to improve drainage.
- Tamp down the soil as you go to eliminate air pockets.
- Water generously, but avoid saturating the area.
- Finally, mulch the area well to keep moisture in and protect the roots from temperature fluctuations.
By following these steps, you’ll give your plantain banana (Musa ‘Dwarf Puerto Rican’) the best start possible and ensure it thrives in its new home.
Planting Instructions (potted):
To properly transplant your plant into a container, follow these steps:
- Choose a container that is slightly larger than the one your plant was previously in to allow for proper root development and growth.
- Fill the bottom of the container with a high-quality potting mix that will provide proper drainage and nutrition for your plant.
- Gently loosen the plant’s roots by carefully pulling them apart with your fingers. This will encourage new growth and prevent root binding.
- Center the plant in the new container, ensuring that it stands upright and is not leaning to one side.
- Fill the remaining space in the container with the same potting mix, leaving a small gap of approximately 1 inch between the soil and the rim of the container. This will help prevent over-watering and promote healthy root development.
- Water the plant thoroughly until water begins to drain out of the bottom of the container. This will ensure that the plant is well-hydrated and that the soil has settled properly.
Place the newly transplanted plant in a sunny location where it can receive adequate light to promote healthy growth.
Winter Care (potted): To prevent stress on your Puerto Rican plantain, move it indoors before the nighttime temperatures begin to dip below 45 degrees. Place the plant in a spot that receives plenty of sunlight and water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. If you reside in zone 8 or below, do not leave your plant outdoors.
Watering (in ground): After planting, water your trees generously and water again when the soil is dry 2-3 inches down. The watering frequency and amounts will depend on the climate in which the plants grow. The trees require regular watering while they are establishing, but once established, they will only need water during times of extreme heat and/or drought.
Watering (potted): To avoid waterlogging the roots, water your plant until water flows through the drainage holes and drain any excess water from the collection tray. Let the soil dry a few inches down in the container before watering again, and always drain the excess water from the tray to prevent root rot.
Fertilizing: As fast-growing plants, banana trees require regular feeding to meet their nutrient needs. Apply a high nitrogen fertilizer during the growing season according to label instructions on timing and application rates.
Pruning: Apart from removing damaged leaves, banana trees require little pruning. Since they only produce fruit once, the trees can be removed after fruit production.
