How to Make Banana Peel Plant Fertiliser?

Banana peel fertiliser for plant is a fairly new thing – or not? People have been using them for centuries to compost and feed them to their animals. So, there is nothing new there. Bananas are very nutritious and so is their skin – pretty much like any other fruit and vegetables.  Banana peels contain a lot of important nutrients: potassium, magnesium and phosphorous, just to mention a few. Some clever, traditional Southeast Asian, Indian and Venezuelan cuisines use them in recipes too.  They can go into the home compost as well.  Because of how much bananas we consume globally, it can create a huge amount of organic waste and it’s all wasted when not composted properly.

Let’s make banana peel plant fertiliser!

How does banana peel fertiliser work?

The rich nutrients found in banana peels, which are often discarded as waste, are packed with essential slow-release elements like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, all of which are beneficial for plant health: they are strengthening the plant cells. 

And does it REALLY work?

Well, gardening experts and tend disagree on this. Many research shows, that the banana peel infused water has very negligible traces of all the nutrients of the actual banana peel, which is true, however most people report that it has been effective and they can see visible improvements. Which is exactly what I experience too, so I will carry on making banana peel infused water for them.

Can you use banana peel fertiliser on outdoor plants?

Yes, however, make sure you don’t just chuck the entire banana peels outside as that’s just going attract some unwanted critters. Banana peels can be added to compost, like any other organic matter or use the same liquid fertiliser as with your indoor plants —they can even deter some garden pests! 

Banana peel tea will especially beneficial on plants that need potassium. Flowering plants, fruits, and vegetables will show the most noticeable improvements from this targeted treatment.

How to use banana peels to fertilise indoor plants?

Read this guide to learn ho and what to avoid.

Some banana peels are better than others

That’s right, the more mature the banana (which is normally what I have at home, ending up using them in my favourite vegan banana bread), the more nutritious the skin.

But apart from the maturity, the variety of bananas counts too: the regular, dessert bananas are better than plantain. All the same, they are all useful, so don’t just bin them.

If possible, though, use peels from organic bananas to avoid adding any pesticide residues to your plants.

What to avoid when using banana peel fertiliser?

Whilst banana peel infused water as well as dried banana powder can be beneficial for some indoor plants –  simply tossing the banana peel onto the soil or even burying it into the soil will not be helpful. In fact, the rotting banana will attract insect like fruit flies and ants. It takes about two years for the banana peel to decompose too. 

How to make banana peel fertiliser?

I choose the simplest way: soaking the banana peel in water for up to a week, then dilute the banana peel infused water with fresh water and water the plants with it.

Steps:

1. Put the banana peels into a jar and fill with water. The smaller the pieces, the faster they will break down and release nutrients.
2. Let them infuse for a minimum of 24 hours and up to a MONTH (the longer, the better)
3. Dilute it to 1 part infusion and 2-5 parts of fresh water
4. Water plants
5. Discard used peel by composting 

Other ways to make banana peel fertiliser

• composting the peels- this is the easiest way, but you have to wait for the results as they decompose
• dry and blend the peels
• mulching the peels

Which indoor plants will benefit from banana peel fertiliser?

Not all houseplants will react the same way to banana peel fertiliser. Mostly, it’s beneficial for the plants that produce flower. like orchids and begonias. So are indoor fruiting plants. Some foliage plants will like it too: ferns, cornstalk, ivy and pothos plants.

Also:

• spider plant
• peace lily
• aloe vera
• snake plant
• philodendron
• ficus
• jade plant
• zz plant

Advantages of using banana peel fertiliser

Apart from the nutrients, banana peel fertiliser for indoor plants have additional benefits like repelling aphids and reducing transplanting shock. It can improve the soil health too and enhance plant resilience. It’s also a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to top up your indoor plant fertilisers.