How to Grow Burro Banana
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Burro Banana
Musa acuminata × balbisiana
fruitBurro banana is a hybrid cooking banana with a stockier, shorter plant structure than dessert bananas. It produces thick, angular yellow fruits with creamy, custard-like flesh that is excellent for cooking, frying, or eating fresh. This variety is popular in Latin American and African cuisines and is sometimes called 'plantain banana' due to its cooking applications.
When should you plant Burro Banana in your zone?
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Example Burro Banana timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Burro Banana
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Burro Banana
Around Nov 8≈ 300 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Burro Banana dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-12, with best performance in zones 10-11
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Establishment
4-8 weeksYoung plant develops roots and establishes 3-5 leaves; slow initial growth as rhizome becomes active.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Protect from wind. Apply mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature. Stake if necessary in windy areas.
Vegetative Growth
3-6 monthsRapid leaf production, plant reaches 6-8 feet tall; pseudo-stem thickens and new leaves emerge regularly.
Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Maintain consistent watering (1-1.5 inches/week). Prune dead or damaged leaves. Remove leaf sheaths if desired for better air circulation.
Pre-Flowering
1-2 monthsPlant stops gaining height, begins redirecting energy toward reproductive structures. Leaves slow in production, plant appears to mature.
Increase potassium and phosphorus fertilization. Ensure consistent watering. Watch for pest activity as plant stress increases susceptibility.
Flowering & Fruit Development
2-3 monthsInflorescence (banana heart) emerges, develops progressively, and flowers appear in tiers. Fruits develop from flower clusters and fill rapidly.
Support heavy fruiting clusters with stakes or slings to prevent breakage. Maintain excellent drainage and consistent water. Remove male flowers after fruit set if desired. Apply mulch to keep roots cool.
Fruit Maturation & Harvest
1-2 monthsBunches swell to full size; fruits change from deep green to yellow (or yellow with green tips). Fruits develop characteristic angular shape and creamy color.
Stop fertilizing once fruits reach full size. Reduce watering slightly once fruits are mature. Harvest when fruits are full-sized; they ripen off the plant. After harvest, cut down mother plant to encourage suckers.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators; remove infested leaves
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Remove and destroy affected plants; practice crop rotation; use pheromone traps; inject parasitic nematodes into soil
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Increase humidity; spray with water; apply neem oil if severe; encourage predatory mites
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; prune heavily infested leaves; isolate affected plants
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Remove damaged plants; practice sanitation; use resistant varieties; apply insecticide to corm before planting
Uses
Frying and savory dishes
CulinaryBurro bananas are ideal for frying, baking, or sautéing due to their firm texture and low sugar content compared to dessert bananas. They are a staple in Latin American cuisine for patacones (fried plantain chips) and matooke (steamed banana dish). [source]
Fresh and desserts
CulinaryWhen fully ripe, Burro bananas can be eaten fresh with a creamy, custard-like flavor. They are also used in desserts, ice cream, and baked goods. [source]
Nutritional support
MedicinalBurro bananas are rich in potassium, vitamin B6, and dietary fiber, supporting heart health, digestion, and sustained energy. They provide resistant starch when cooked green. [source]
Peel and skin care
HouseholdBanana peel contains compounds that can be used for minor household cleaning or as a natural cosmetic ingredient for skin treatments. [source]
Pollinator and wildlife support
WildlifeBanana flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting pollinator populations. The plant provides shelter and food for various garden wildlife. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest bunches when fruits reach full size and color, typically 9-12 months after planting. Cut with a sharp machete at the base of the banana heart. Fruits can be harvested green (for cooking) or partially yellow. Allow bunches to ripen off the plant in a warm location (68-75°F) for 3-7 days. Individual fruits can be separated once ripe. Burro bananas are excellent for cooking when slightly underripe (green-yellow).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Burro bananas are sometimes called 'horse bananas' in Spanish (plátano de caballo), though this name is sometimes used for other cooking banana varieties.
- 🌱 Matooke, the traditional East African dish made from cooking bananas (including Burro types), has been a staple carbohydrate in Uganda and surrounding regions for centuries.
- 🌱 Burro bananas have a distinctive angular, thick-skinned appearance that makes them more resistant to bruising during transport compared to dessert banana varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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