The banana shrub is a magnolia species (previously classified as Michelia figo) whose common name refers to the intense banana-like fragrance of its waxy, cup-shaped creamy yellow flowers. Sometimes the sweet smell of the flowers is also compared to ripe cantaloupe.
Unlike with other shrubs, expect full flowering in mid- to late spring even when the plant is still young. Banana shrub is an evergreen with multiple stems and thick, glossy dark green leaves like magnolia that turn yellow-green in the winter. It grows at a medium rate up until it reaches about 10 feet in height and then growth slows down.
Banana Shrub Overview
Where to Plant Banana Shrub
Choose a location with full sun or partial shade and well-drained, acidic soil.
Banana shrub is a member of the magnolia family and thrives in similar conditions where magnolia grows. It is moderately salt-tolerant so it’s suitable for growing in coastal areas. However, banana shrub needs a protected location where it is not exposed to strong winds. Plant it in a spot where its evergreen leaves serve as a living screen, use it to mask a foundation, or make it part of a mixed shrub border alongside other easy-to-grow shrubs. You can even grow it as a hedge. Whichever location you choose, it should be one where you'll get to enjoy the shrub’s interest year-round and its banana-scented blossoms.
How and When to Plant Banana Shrub
Plant the shrub in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Dig a hole at least twice the size of the root ball and just as deep. Place the shrub in the hole and backfill with the original soil so the soil line from the nursery pot is slightly higher than the surrounding soil level.
Tamp down the soil and water it well. Keep the soil moist and water it regularly during the first growing season to encourage a strong root system.
Space plants 12 feet apart, closer if planted as a hedge.
Banana Shrub Care Tips
If planted in the right conditions, banana shrub is easy to grow.
Light
Banana shrub thrives in full sun or part shade. Plants grown in the sun will mature to a smaller size and have a more compact habit and their leaves will take on a lighter shade of green with a yellow hue. Plants grown in light shade have deeper green foliage and a slightly open, spreading habit.
Soil and Water
Excellent drainage, which lets oxygen more easily reach the root zone, is very important to successfully grow a banana shrub. The soil should also be enriched with organic matter such as well-decomposed compost. A slightly acidic pH, between 6.0 and 6.5 is best.
Water banana shrub regularly after planting. After it is established, it tolerates drought with ease.
Temperature and Humidity
Banana shrub is only reliably winter-hardy in Zone 8 and above. If you live in a colder climate, grow it in a large planter and overwinter it indoors. Keep the room temperature between 60 and 85 degrees F and make sure the relative humidity is at least 50%. The plant is not suitable for a hot, arid climate.
Fertilizer
Fertilize the plant once a year in late winter or very early spring before the new growth starts. If your garden soil is more in the neutral range, use a slow-release granular fertilizer for acid-loving plants. If your soil pH is already on the acidic side, use a general shrub tree fertilizer.
Pruning
The banana shrub takes well to pruning and you can prune it quite severely to maintain its shape and control its size. Prune as soon as the bloom is over, otherwise, you risk removing next year’s flower buds which form by early summer.
Potting and Repotting Banana Shrub
Use a container with large drainage holes and fill it with well-draining quality potting mix. The container should be 8 inches larger in diameter than the root ball, which will give the plant sufficient space for at least a couple of years before repotting becomes necessary.
To repot a banana shrub, choose a container one size up from its current pot. Gently remove the shrub from its container and place it in the new pot, filling around the root ball with fresh potting mix. Water well and regularly.
Keep in mind that container-grown plants need more frequent watering than plants in the landscape Although the banana shrub is fairly drought-tolerant, a potted plant needs regular watering.
Pests and Problems
While the shrub is not bothered by major pests or diseases, it is occasionally troubled by false oleander scale. a pest that feeds on foliage and tender new shoots. Treat any scale infestation by spraying it with horticultural oil. Reapply the spray as necessary following label directions.
How to Propagate Banana Shrub
Banana shrubs are best propagated from softwood cuttings taken in the summer. Take a cutting of a stem tip about 4 to 6 inches in length. Leave all the leaves except for the ones at the bottom. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder and insert it in a 4-inch pot filled with damp potting mix. Keep the pot in a warm place with bright light but out of direct sunlight. Keep the cutting moist by misting it regularly.
After 4 to 6 weeks, the cutting should start rooting. Give it time to grow into a vigorous small plant before transplanting it in a garden bed or a larger container.
Types of Banana Shrub
‘Port Wine'
This cultivar has rose to maroon flowers that fade to a cream color as they age. The foliage is evergreen and glossy. It is a slow grower, reaching 8 to 12 feet in height and 6 to 10 feet in width. Zone 8-10
‘Royal Robes’
It is not only the purple to deep burgundy flowers of this cultivar that is different from the species. The fragrance is different, too. ‘Royal Robes’ has less of the typical aroma of ripe banana; it has a more spicy fragrance instead. After its spring bloom, around May, it may sporadically develop a few flowers again over the summer. Zone 7-9
'Serendipity'
Magnolia x 'Serendipity' is a hybrid variety with larger, creamy white flowers that also blooms more profusely than the species. Serendipity is also slightly more winter-hardy. Zone 7-9
Banana Shrub Companion Plants
California Bay Laurel
This evergreen shrub, which is native to the West Coast of the United States, grows best in full sun to partial shade. California bay laurel is an adaptable, fast grower, adding as much as 4 feet per year in the right conditions. Fragrant yellow flowers in late winter and early spring are followed by inedible olive-like fruits that serve as food for wildlife. Zone 7-9
Firebush
Firebush (Hamelia patens) draws the eye with its orange-red tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It is native to Florida, Mexico, Central and South America, This evergreen shrub grows up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide, but there are also compact varieties. The shrub grows in full sun to partial shade and is drought-tolerant once established. Zone 9-10
Yaupon Holly
If you are located in the South, Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is among the least demanding native evergreen shrubs available and it withstands wind and hot climates better than most evergreen hollies The tiny dark green leaves and dense growth of this fast-growing shrub respond well to aggressive pruning, yet they also look right at home unpruned in the naturalized garden. Zone 7-10
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the banana shrub deer-resistant?Deer tend to leave the shrub alone so it is relatively deer-resistant. It is nonetheless a good idea to put up a plant protector, not only against deer browsing but also against critters.
Deer tend to leave the shrub alone so it is relatively deer-resistant. It is nonetheless a good idea to put up a plant protector, not only against deer browsing but also against critters.
- Is the banana shrub invasive?The plant is not considered invasive although it is not native to the United States. It was introduced from southeastern China in the late 1700s.
The plant is not considered invasive although it is not native to the United States. It was introduced from southeastern China in the late 1700s.
- Does banana shrub grow in sun or shade?Banana shrub will grow in shade, partial shade, or full sun, The leaves will turn more yellow-green in full sun, however, so if you want a deeper green and profuse flowering, opt for dappled sunlight or partial shade.
Banana shrub will grow in shade, partial shade, or full sun, The leaves will turn more yellow-green in full sun, however, so if you want a deeper green and profuse flowering, opt for dappled sunlight or partial shade.