How to Make Banana Peel Fertilizer to Keep Your Plants Healthy

The banana is a ubiquitous fruit, and if you’re like most people you probably toss the peel as soon as you’re done. What many don’t realize is that this seemingly innocuous part could be extremely beneficial to their plants. It’s true—the same nutrients that make the banana itself such a valuable addition to a well-rounded diet also play a role in nourishing and nurturing plant life.

Even if you aren’t known for your DIY skills, you may be surprised to find that concocting a fertilizer made with banana peels is quite a simple and straightforward process. That’s good news, given the abundance of magnesium and potassium that can strengthen the plant’s stem, support robust root growth, and help nutrients disperse with greater efficiency. That’s the kind of hard-working fertilizer you want working for your plants! Here’s what you need to know.

Why Banana Peels Make Great Fertilizers

Broken down, the components in a banana peel can do a lot for your plants. There’s magnesium, which supports healthy photosynthesis so the plant can reap energy from sunlight. There’s potassium, which allows for strong nutrient distribution.

There’s also calcium, which helps the nutrients in the soil break down efficiently so the plant can reap all their benefits. Then there’s phosphorus, which helps stems and roots grow stronger and supports flower production.

How to Make a Banana Peel Fertilizer

For this task, you’ll need a banana peel, a clean mason jar with a lid, and distilled water. Simply place a peel in the jar, pour distilled water inside, and cap it closed. Allow this blend to rest for about two weeks, then extract and dispose of the banana peel. Now, dilute one part of the fertilizer with four parts of water. You can then pour this directly onto the soil to give your plants a nutritious boost.

An alternative method is to incorporate banana peels, coffee grounds, and other organic components to create compost. Banana peels tend to break down quickly, making them a great addition to compost. The nutrients in the peels disperse easily. While you can toss them into the compost as they are, it’s easier and faster to break down if you chop up the peels into minuscule pieces.

Some people opt to simply bury whole peels in the soil, but they don’t break down nearly as fast. Oxygen is a vital part of successful composting, so making it yourself is a more effective method. Alternately, you can chop the peels and dry them in the oven on a low setting. Then crush them in a coffee grinder and pour into a container. You can then pour the banana powder directly on the soil.

Banana Peel Fertilizer for Houseplants

It’s best to use the banana peel fertilizer outside the home. Introducing it to your houseplants could also attract unwelcome insects, like fruit flies and cockroaches. Avoid adding the fruit to the potting soil for that reason—the pests alone could cause irreversible problems. With the right mode of application, a banana peel can boost your plants’ health significantly.