Banana plants, often mistaken for trees, are actually the world’s largest herbaceous flowering plants, belonging to the genus Musa. While they provide lush, tropical aesthetics, their vigorous growth can quickly lead to an unwanted, sprawling clump that takes over a landscape. Effective removal requires eliminating the entire underground structure, which is the source of their persistent nature. Simply cutting the trunk-like stem, known as the pseudostem, will not stop the plant, making a targeted method necessary for permanent eradication.
The Banana Plant’s Root System
The difficulty in killing a banana plant stems from its unique underground structure, which is not a true root system but a large, bulbous stem called a corm or rhizome. This corm is the central hub from which the pseudostems emerge, along with new offshoots known as “pups” or “suckers.” The corm stores energy and nutrients, enabling the plant to regrow even after the visible portion is removed.
The corm houses numerous dormant buds; severing the pseudostem merely triggers these buds to activate and send up new shoots. This regenerative ability makes continuous surface cutting ineffective. To achieve complete control, the removal method must either physically extract the entire corm or use a systemic agent to destroy the energy-storing structure beneath the soil.
Eliminating the Plant Manually
Manual removal is the most labor-intensive but chemical-free method for eliminating a banana plant. The process begins by cutting the fibrous pseudostem down to a short stump, approximately one to two feet above the ground. This step provides better access to the base and the underlying corm.
The challenge is physically extracting the dense, heavy corm from the ground. Using a heavy-duty shovel, digging bar, or pickaxe, dig a trench around the remaining stump to expose the entire corm structure. The goal is to separate the corm from the surrounding soil and sever all attached roots and runners. The entire corm must be removed because any small fragment left behind has the potential to sprout a new plant.
Targeted Chemical Treatment
For a less physically demanding and often more effective solution, a targeted chemical treatment using a systemic herbicide is recommended. Systemic herbicides, such as concentrated glyphosate or triclopyr, are designed to be absorbed and transported throughout the plant’s vascular system, traveling down to the corm and roots. This method ensures the destruction of the energy reserve that fuels regrowth.
The first step involves cutting the pseudostem as close to the ground as possible, creating a fresh, exposed surface. The herbicide must be applied immediately to this fresh cut surface before the plant seals the wound. The goal is to saturate the entire cut area or use the “hack-and-squirt” method, which involves making angled cuts or drilling holes into the stump and filling them with a concentrated herbicide solution.
Glyphosate is a non-selective option, while triclopyr is selective for broadleaf plants and may be a better choice if desirable grasses are nearby. Always use a concentrated product, as over-the-counter formulas may be too dilute. Follow all manufacturer instructions for mixing and application rates, as well as all local laws and EPA guidelines regarding herbicide use.
Ensuring Permanent Eradication
After successfully removing the corm or applying a systemic herbicide, proper management of the remaining plant material and long-term monitoring are necessary to prevent recurrence. The massive, water-rich pseudostem waste should not be immediately added to a compost pile, as its high moisture content can lead to anaerobic conditions and delayed decomposition. Instead, large pieces should be allowed to dry out completely or be chipped before composting.
The observation of the removal site is crucial for permanent eradication. Fragments of the rhizome can be missed, leading to new suckers emerging weeks or months later. Any new “pups” that appear must be immediately treated with a spot application of concentrated herbicide or dug out completely. Consistent and immediate removal of these new growths will eventually deplete any remaining energy reserves in the soil, preventing the plant from becoming re-established.