Bananas are one of the most important fruit crops in Mauritius, grown commercially and in home gardens across the island. Multiple varieties exist including the small sweet "fig banane" and cooking plantains. They produce year-round in the tropical climate.

Local names: Banann, Banane, Banana

Months: September, October, November, December, January, February

Best planted at the start of the warm, rainy season (September–February) for fastest establishment.

• Soil type: Deep, rich, well-drained loamy soil
• pH: 5.5–7.0
• Compost: Dig a large planting hole (60×60 cm) and fill with compost, aged manure, and topsoil. Bananas are extremely heavy feeders.

• Seed type: Suckers (pups) from an established plant
• Spacing: 2–3 metres between plants
• Watering: Heavy watering, 3–4 times per week. Bananas need consistent moisture — they are 80% water.
• Sunlight: Full sun (8+ hours daily)

Organic options:

• Compost
• Cow manure
• Banana peel compost
• Fish emulsion monthly

Chemical options:

• NPK 10-10-10 monthly
• Potassium sulphate at fruiting

Banana weevil

• Natural remedy: Clean planting material and pseudostem traps
• Chemical fallback: Chlorpyrifos

Black sigatoka

• Natural remedy: Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation
• Chemical fallback: Propiconazole fungicide

• Days to maturity: 9–12 months from planting
• Indicators: Fingers are plump and rounded (not angular). The flower at the tip of each finger dries and falls off easily.
• Yield tips: Cut the whole bunch when the first hand starts to yellow. Hang upside down in shade to ripen evenly.

• Duration: 5–7 days once ripe
• Temperature: Room temperature for ripening. Do not refrigerate unripe bananas.
• Tips: Separate from other fruits to slow ripening (bananas produce ethylene). Freeze peeled bananas for smoothies.