Do Banana Trees Have Seeds? Fertiliser, Growth & Planting Facts

Gardeners often wonder whether bananas contain seeds that can be planted. The truth is most bananas eaten today, including the Cavendish, do not have viable seeds. Instead, new plants are grown from suckers that sprout from the rhizome.

Bananas: Wild vs Cultivated

Wild bananas do produce large black seeds, but they are not edible. Modern cultivated bananas were bred to be seedless, giving the soft, sweet fruit we eat today. The tiny black specks you see inside a banana are remnants of undeveloped seeds.

Wild bananas: Contain large, hard seeds but little flesh.
Cultivated bananas: Grown for eating, seedless, propagated vegetatively.
Result: Home gardeners cannot plant bananas from seeds and must use suckers or nursery plants instead.

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Propagation Through Suckers

Since bananas are seedless, they reproduce through suckers. These are shoots that grow from the underground rhizome. A healthy clump will produce several suckers each year, ensuring the cycle continues after the main stem fruits and dies back.

For strong suckers, fertiliser is essential. Each new shoot requires nitrogen for rapid leaf production, phosphorus for root strength, and potassium to prepare for future fruiting. Without consistent feeding, suckers remain thin and weak, leading to delayed crops.

Selecting suckers: Choose pups 30–50 cm tall with a piece of rhizome attached.
Planting: Replant in rich, well-drained soil with full sun exposure.
Feeding: Apply balanced fertiliser every 2–3 weeks for rapid establishment.

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Fertiliser Issues When Growing Bananas

Many gardeners assume bananas can thrive without heavy feeding since they grow quickly. However, nutrient deficiencies appear fast. Yellow leaves indicate nitrogen shortage, while weak stems and poor sucker growth come from lack of phosphorus and potassium. These problems slow down the replacement cycle of stems, reducing long-term yields.

The best way to avoid delays is by using a water-soluble, complete fertiliser. Complete Grow All Purpose Liquid NPK 20-20-20 is well-suited for banana plants, supplying balanced nutrients for both mature stems and young suckers.

FAQ – Banana Seeds & Fertiliser

Do bananas have seeds? Wild bananas do, but edible varieties like Cavendish are seedless.

Can I grow a banana tree from a banana? No. Edible bananas lack viable seeds. You must use suckers or buy a plant.

Why do cultivated bananas not have seeds? They were bred for eating, producing flesh instead of seeds.

How do I propagate banana trees at home? Replant suckers from the base of a healthy clump and fertilise regularly.

What fertiliser should I use for new suckers? A balanced NPK fertiliser like Complete Grow 20-20-20 helps establish strong shoots for future crops.