When to Plant Banana in Cairns, Tropical Guide

Plant year round in Cairns. That includes right now, in September.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Banana guide is written for the Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Banana

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Technically the world's largest herb, not a tree. The 'trunk' is a pseudostem made of tightly wrapped leaf bases. Propagated by suckers (pups) from the base of the mother plant. Commercial bananas are seedless and sterile. Each pseudostem fruits once then dies, replaced by suckers. Strictly tropical/subtropical in Australia. Biosecurity restrictions apply to plant movement between states due to Panama disease.

Best Planting Window for Tropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
P P P P P P P P P P P P

P = Planting window

Plant anytime soil temperature is above 18°C, which is most of the year. Best at start of wet season for establishment.

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How to Grow Banana in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

Plant anytime soil temperature is above 18°C, which is most of the year. Best at start of wet season for establishment.

Soil
Deep, rich, well-drained loam with high organic matter. Bananas are gross feeders and need fertile soil. Sandy soils need heavy composting.
pH Range
5.5-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun, sheltered from strong wind. Wind shreds leaves (cosmetic damage) and can topple plants.

Companion plants: Sweet potato (ground cover), Comfrey, Lemongrass

Avoid planting near: Nothing specific, but keep away from structures due to spreading root mat

Tropical Growing Tips for Banana

Recommended Varieties

  • Cavendish (Williams, Grand Nain)
  • Lady Finger (Sugar Banana)
  • Ducasse (Pisang Awak)
  • Red Dacca
  • Plantain (cooking banana)

Key Challenges

  • Panama TR4 (biosecurity critical)
  • Cyclone damage
  • Banana weevil borer
  • BBTV

Pro Tips

  • This is banana heartland. FNQ produces most of Australia's commercial bananas.
  • Plant in groups of 3-4 for wind protection (mats shelter each other).
  • In cyclone zones, chop tall plants before storms. They'll reshoot from suckers.

Harvesting Banana

When ready: Fingers (individual bananas) are plump and rounded (not angular/ridged). Flower petals at tip of each finger dry and rub off easily. Wait until fingers start to turn slightly yellow on the bunch, OR harvest when full-sized but green and ripen indoors.

How to harvest: Cut entire bunch with machete or heavy knife. Support bunch weight as you cut. They're heavier than you think (15-40kg). Hang in cool shady spot to ripen. Ripen faster in paper bag with ethylene-producing fruit (apple).

Where to next

What banana costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the tropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Cucumber and Basil.

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $4.90/kg (12-month range: $2.90–$4.90)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Banana

When do you plant banana in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does banana grow all year round in Cairns?

Yes, every month is on the calendar for the Tropical zone, though not every month is equally easy. Plant anytime soil temperature is above 18°C, which is most of the year. Best at start of wet season for establishment.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.