Banana peel as fertilizer: does it make sense?

One hears again and again that banana peels are used as fertilizer. But does it really work? We follow the myth and clear it up.

Fertilizing is often a double-edged sword for gardeners: On the one hand, there are nutrients for them optimal care of our plants and thus also essential for a good harvest, on the other hand are mineral fertilizers often not only harmful to the climate, but also expensive. In this context, home remedies such as coffee grounds, Fertilizer with eggshells, or even called banana peels. These household waste products are said to be ideal as fertilizers for plants and are considered a real secret weapon. But are banana peel really suitable as a fertilizer? Here you will find all the facts about the curious home remedy.

Many gardeners doubt that banana peel is really suitable as a fertilizer. On the other hand, numerous plant lovers swear by the bowls, after all, they promise an almost free replacement of environmentally harmful mineral fertilizers. The numerous minerals that are present in the banana peel also speak for a positive effect as a plant fertilizer.

Properties and ingredients of banana peel

Most people know from childhood that bananas are healthy and full of important minerals and nutrients. But what about the banana peel, which is removed before eating? In fact, the peel of the yellow delicacy is also full of important nutrients, making it far too good for the garbage can. Almost 12% of the dried banana peel consists of minerals - potassium is the most widely represented element. But magnesium and phosphorus are also abundantly contained in banana peel. Sulfur, sodium, nitrogen and other trace elements are also found in smaller quantities.

Unfortunately, the banana peel does not only contain good things: pesticides that are used in the rearing and transport of the tropical fruit are used, are deposited on this and can be in the soil when fertilizing with banana peel penetration. If you want to avoid this, you can use organically grown bananas in the supermarket. These are not treated with chemicals and can therefore be used in the garden without hesitation.

Use banana peels as fertilizer?

There is also a grain of truth in the myth of the banana peel as a substitute for fertilizer. In fact, the shells of the plant can be used wonderfully as a supplier of nutrients for our garden and indoor plants. The advantage is obvious: on the one hand, banana peels are often kitchen rubbish that can be meaningfully reused after being processed into fertilizer. On the other hand, the high potassium and magnesium contents of the banana peel are an ideal starting point as a nutrient supplier for other plants.

However, you have to dampen the euphoria surrounding the banana peel a little. While the banana is a great source of potassium and magnesium, it cannot be used as a complete substitute for conventional fertilizers. The reason for this is their low nitrogen content - nitrogen is often the limiting factor in the growth of plants and therefore one of the most important ingredients in fertilizers. Banana peels are therefore only suitable as an additional potassium and magnesium fertilizer if you are already working with a complete fertilizer. If you want to switch to an environmentally friendly alternative, you should better use a primarily organic fertilizer like ours Plantura organic universal fertilizer set. In addition, only the peel of organically grown bananas are suitable for fertilizing plants, because, as already indicated, conventional bananas are often contaminated with pesticides.

Which plants should you fertilize with banana peel?

Unfortunately, banana peel cannot be used as a complete fertilizer - nevertheless there are numerous plant species that benefit from fertilizing with banana peel. Especially in plants with a high need for potassium - for example tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) - additional fertilization with banana peel can be useful. But also flowering plants like Roses (pink), Geraniums (Pelargonium) and Fuchsias (Fuchsia) benefit from the extra portion of nutrients because they are prone to a potassium deficiency. By using banana peels as fertilizer, improved leaf and flower formation can be achieved. In addition, the potassium contained in the banana peel promotes the winter hardiness of the plants and can increase the aroma and shelf life of various fruits. The advantage over others Potassium fertilizers It is obvious that it is almost impossible to overfertilize plants with the help of banana fertilizer if you only use peel that is produced in the household.

Use of banana peel as fertilizer

Using banana peels as fertilizer is actually child's play - in fact, all you have to do is chop the peels with a knife or a food processor. The following applies: the smaller the individual pieces, the faster the banana peel can decompose in the soil and release its nutrients. The crushed banana peels can now simply be worked into the flat soil of the root area of ​​the plant. If you have a particularly large number of banana peels on hand, you can also use the shredded pieces Let it dry in an airy place, for example on a wire rack, and use it later lift. However, you should not keep the banana peel in a closed container or bag, otherwise it will mold quickly. Coarse pieces can also be mixed under pieces of bark or grass clippings as a rich mulch material in spring.

Use banana peel for leaf care

But an old banana peel can still be useful not only as a fertilizer, but also for house plants with large leaves like this Window leaf the shell is still extremely profitable. In fact, this is ideal for removing dust and dirt from the large leaves, which thanks to the dry heating air particularly likes to settle on the plants. Dirt particles adhere exceptionally well to the slightly damp and sticky inside of the banana, which is why it is wonderfully easy to clean the leaves of ornamental plants. In addition, the soft flesh of the bananas is particularly gentle during cleaning and gives the leaves their old shine.

If you are now further interested in home remedies as fertilizers, you will find our article here Coffee grounds as fertilizer.