What are some tips for taking care of a banana tree in the winter?

Care for a banana tree in the winter by cutting back banana stems and leaves prior to the first frost and covering the remaining crown with heavy mulch. Alternatively, move hardy banana trees to containers, and keep them in a frost-free area over the winter.

Banana trees come in several hardy varieties that survive the winter including Musa basjoo, Musella lasiocarpa and Musa velutina. The Musa basjoo variety is the largest and most cold-hardy variety. Banana trees in cold climates are unlikely to bear fruit, but if they do, the fruit is likely inedible and has a large number of seeds.