Whether you grow banana trees for fruits or for decoration, you need to feed them properly depending on the growth stage, soil quality, and more. A well-nourished banana tree will develop green and lush leaves as well as produce big, tasty fruits. Here are the best fertilizers for banana trees:
Here are the best fertilizers for banana trees you can buy in 2025:
- Improve Nutrient Deficiency: Miracle-Gro 1048291
- Slow Release: Jobe's 1612
- Best For Abundant Crops: Wellspring Gardens Water-Soluble 15-5-30 Blend
- For Healthy Root: Dr. Earth 713
- Best For Leaf Growth: Grow More Banana Fertilizer 16-8-24
- Fast Release: EarthPods EARTH-CITRUS
6 Best Fertilizers For Banana Trees | ||
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Improve Nutrient Deficiency | Miracle-Gro 1048291 | |
Slow Release | Jobe's 1612 | |
Best For Abundant Crops | Wellspring Gardens Water-Soluble 15-5-30 Blend | |
For Healthy Root | Dr. Earth 713 | |
Best For Leaf Growth | Grow More Banana Fertilizer 16-8-24 | |
Fast Release | EarthPods EARTH-CITRUS |
Improve Nutrient Deficiency: Miracle-Gro 1048291

- Able to improve common nutrient deficiencies in the soil – comprised of added nitrogen, potassium, iron, sulfur, and magnesium
- Easy to hold – the wide, curved handle with great grip
- Easy to store – a tight lid
- Wish the spout was a little bit smaller
This banana fertilizer from Miracle-Gro consists of added nitrogen, potassium, iron, sulfur, and magnesium - which helps correct or improve common nutrient deficiencies in your soil.
At the same time, this fertilizer makes the roots stronger and the plant grows healthier.
Each unit weighs 4.5 pounds and lasts around three months. You can use it for new or existing banana trees, grown in containers or in the ground. Don't worry, the fertilizer doesn't burn if applied as directly.
Accommodated in a container with a tight lid and an ergonomically curved handle, this fertilizer is comfortable to hold and easy to store.
Miracle-Gro 1048291 Specifications | |
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Size | 4.5 Pounds |
Fertilizer Analysis | 13-7-13 |
Highlight Features | comprised of added nitrogen, potassium, iron, sulfur, and magnesium the wide, curved handle with great grip a tight lid |
The Miracle-Gro 1048291 not only provides rich content of micronutrients but also minor elements, so it can help improve nutrient deficiency in the soil effectively.
Slow Release: Jobe's 1612

- Last up to 4 months – slow-release formula
- Easy to apply & no wasteful runoff – spike form fertilizer
- It will be a real hindrance if the soil is hard
If you want to stay away from mess, unpleasant odors, or wasteful runoff when feeding your banana trees, then our favorite pick is the Jobe's 1612.
It comes in the form of spikes with a top cap so that you just need to gently hammer the spike around each tree’s dripline.
According to the manufacturer, use one spike per inch of trunk diameter. Each will last up to 4 months thanks to the slow-release formula.
Jobe's 1612 Specifications | |
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Size | 15 spikes, 0.88 Pounds |
Highlight Features | slow-release formula spike form fertilizer |
Finding the best slow-release fertilizer for banana trees? Look no further than the Jobe's 1612
Best For Abundant Crops: Wellspring Gardens Water-Soluble 15-5-30 Blend

- Make leaves healthier – high nitrogen content
- Bring abundant crops – rich potassium content
- Probably messy for new users
This water-soluble fertilizer is specifically blended for banana trees in containers.
With the formula 15-5-30, just 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of the fertilizer diluted with 1 gallon of water every two weeks can provide all the necessary micronutrients and minor elements. After 1-2 weeks, you will notice the difference: healthier leaves and new growth
The final results are abundant crops.
There’s just one thing you should note that if you are new to measuring water-soluble fertilizer, it is probably messy.
Wellspring Gardens Water-Soluble 15-5-30 Blend Specifications | |
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Size | 2 lbs. |
Fertilizer Analysis | 15-5-30 |
Highlight Features | high nitrogen content rich potassium content |
If you want your banana trees grow healthy and create abundant crops, then check out the Wellspring Gardens Water-Soluble 15-5-30 Blend
For Healthy Root: Dr. Earth 713

- Help stimulate healthy root – the formula 5-5-2
- Contribute to drought tolerance - 8 select strains of Ector and Endomycorrhizae
- Perfect for organic banana garden – 100% natural ingredients
- A bit pricey
These fertilizer spikes are not only easy to apply but also provide optimum levels of vital micronutrients underground where plant roots can utilize them.
It consists of 8 select strains of Ector and Endomycorrhizae and 7 strains of beneficial soil microbes to help banana trees be more drought-tolerant for higher yield.
There's more.
All the ingredients of this fertilizer are natural and organic without GMOs, sewage sludge, or chicken manure.
Dr. Earth 713 Specifications | |
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Size | 12 Pounds |
Fertilizer Analysis | 5-5-2 |
Highlight Features | the formula 5-5-2 8 select strains of Ector and Endomycorrhizae 100% natural ingredients |
The Dr. Earth 713 contains rich micronutrients, a lot of pro-bio, beneficial soil microbes, and Ector and Endomycorrhizae, making it the best option for healthy roots.
Best For Leaf Growth: Grow More Banana Fertilizer 16-8-24

- Fastest results on new leaf growth – the formula 16-8-24
- Mess-free to use and store – the zippered bag design
- Vague instructions
If you are focusing on stimulating new leaves growth, the Grow More Banana Fertilizer 16-8-24 will bring the fastest result. Based on our testing, this fertilizer can help banana trees shoot out new leaves every week.
Just mix 1 tablespoon of fertilizer with 1 gallon of water, then feed your trees during the growing season.
A bag of 5 pounds can last for a very long time. We very much appreciate the zipper, making it easy and mess-free to store.
Grow More Banana Fertilizer 16-8-24 Specifications | |
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Size | 5 lbs. |
Fertilizer Analysis | 16-8-24 |
Highlight Features | the formula 16-8-24 the zippered bag design |
The Grow More Banana Fertilizer 16-8-24 is specifically formulated to stimulate new leaf growth for the fastest.
Fast Release: EarthPods EARTH-CITRUS

- The best mess-free fast-release fertilizer – capsule-form fertilizer
- Easy to store and recycle – the tube-shape container with a tight lid
- Reliable – sustainably made in the USA
- No complaint
Unlike other fast-release fertilizers for banana trees in this list, the EarthPods EARTH-CITRUS is in the form of capsules. Each capsule is pre-measured and can last up to 2 months.
Compared to the water-soluble type, you won't have to deal with stinky odors, confusing measuring spoons, or messy liquids when using this. All you need to do is insert the capsule directly to the soil following the directions, then water it well.
All the capsules are contained in a tube with a tight lid, which is super-easy to store and recycle.
In addition, this fertilizer is 100% made in the USA.
EarthPods EARTH-CITRUS Specifications | |
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Size | 4 Ounces; 100 Capsules |
Highlight Features | capsule-form fertilizer the tube-shape container with a tight lid sustainably made in the USA |
In need of the best fast-release banana fertilizer without having to deal with messy liquids, bad odors, and measurement? Then, try the EarthPods EARTH-CITRUS
How To Choose The Best Fertilizer For Banana Trees?
Type
Fertilizers for banana trees are divided into three types: liquid, spike, and granular.
This factor doesn’t affect the volume of supplemental nutrients packed in a fertilizer unit. Instead, it’s a personal preference issue. Each type of fertilizer has its pros and cons. To determine which is suitable for your needs, take a look at the following comparison table:
Liquid fertilizers | Spike fertilizers | Granular fertilizers | |
Pros | Easy to reach the roots Effortless to track the area that you’ve applied the fertilize Easy to mix with other liquids, such as selective herbicides or pesticides Not require any special tools Easy to use Able to adjust the dose | Long-lasting The simplest to apply No risks of over-fertilizing as each spike is pre-measured Easy to store | More effective for slow release Easy to store More affordable to buy in bulk |
Cons | Prone to be affected by strong winds Expensive Not last long, which means you have to fertilize your garden more frequently Prone to separate if stored through the winter Hassles of measurement | More expensive than other types of fertilizers Might not distribute evenly Hard to adjust the doses of nutrients to meet the changing needs of banana plants during the growing season The plastic caps of spikes might litter the soil | High salt content, which is prone to causing plant burning Require more work: after fertilizing your garden, you’ll have to water it Not easy to apply them evenly Require a spreader and water to get into the soil |
Fertilizer Analysis
Like other plant species, bananas need a good amount of N, P, and K for plentiful growth. So, when considering a fertilizer for this plant, pay attention to the percentage of each of these micronutrients.
While it is recommended to opt for a balanced fertilizer, take note that each growing stage of banana plants requires a specific fertilizer with a different formula.
For example, during the growing season, banana plants need a high nitrogen fertilizer. But when they start to bloom and produce fruit, you should feed them with a high phosphorus fertilizer.
Besides, the soil analysis will affect the choice of fertilizer formula. If it is lacking phosphorus, for example, and your banana plants are in their growing season, then you should choose a fertilizer with a high percentage of nitrogen and phosphorus.
Which Brands Make The Best Fertilizer For Banana Trees?
Scotts Miracle-Gro
Ever heard of Miracle-Gro and Ortho brands?
It is owned by Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, the US longest multinational corporation - founded in 1868 - and also the world's trusted brand. Their primary product lines are garden and pest control products known for top effectiveness.
The Jobe’s Company
The Jobe’s Company is dedicated to producing home and garden products that help make gardening easier. They are one of the most reliable brands in North America and provide over 200 products.
Wellspring Gardens
A bit different from the two brands above, Wellspring Gardens specialize in providing young, hard-to-find starter plants at the lowest shipping costs. Fertilizers are their side products but are widely loved for eco-friendly and nutritious ingredients, along with great effectiveness.
FAQs
When should I fertilize my banana tree?
You should fertilize your banana tree once a month during the summer. Bonus: An organic fertilizer with formula 10-10-10 is the best choice.
Is Epsom salt good for banana trees?
Yes, it is.
For spectacular growth of banana trees, try either of these blends:
- A slow-release fertilizer + 1T Epsom salt per gallon + a water soluble fertilizer
- 1T Epsom salt per gallon + a water soluble fertilizer
Apply every time you water the trees.
What nutrients do banana trees need?
Banana trees need potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen to grow healthily.
How do you fertilize a banana plant?
If you use a dilute liquid fertilizer solution (1/2 strength), you can apply it to your banana tree with every watering.
If you use a slow-release fertilizer. Use 1-½ pounds of 8-10-10 every month. For indoor banana trees, utilize 1/2 of that amount. Dig the fertilizer in the area around the tree, then water it well.
How can I increase my banana production?
Applying the right fertilizer to your banana tree is an effective way to increase production. For the best results, it is recommended to fertilize 1/2-pound (formula 3-1-6) every 2 months, four to six times during the season.
Once your banana trees start bearing fruit, increase to 4-6 pounds of fertilizer.
Conclusion
And, that wraps up this article. We have tried our best to find several niche options for specific feeding needs and more general-use fertilizers that will work for a variety of soil types. Hopefully, this comprehensive guidance helped you figure out the best fertilizer for banana trees. Thanks for reading!