I am a tropical plant so I like a bright spot. Be careful with direct sunlight, my leaves can't take it very well. Put me in a spot directly in front of a window on the west or east, or 2 meters from a window on the south. Turn me a little from time to time so that my leaves get light from all sides. Also make sure I am not exposed to drafts, as I do not like this.

I really like moist soil and really don't want to dry out. In fact, I drink a lot. Never give me too much water, because this causes root rot. So always make sure you give me the amount of water I can absorb. Regular watering with lukewarm water is often enough. This does vary by season: in winter I drink less than in summer, because it is warmer and lighter in summer. In addition, the brighter the location, the more I drink. Give me water from below, it's better for my roots and this also reduces the chance of bugs. Also, this way I can absorb the amount of water I need. You may give the rest of the water, after I have been drinking for 15 minutes, to another plant. In between, you can feel with your finger how wet the soil is. Does soil stick to your finger after you put it in the potting soil? Then I still have enough water. Is your finger dry and clean? Then give me something to drink. Also, feel free to lift me up. Am I heavy like a tree? Then I have enough to drink. Am I light as a leaf? Then I could use a sip. Cheers!

During the growing season, I really like to get some fertilizer twice a month. The growing season is from March to September. When doing this, stick to the recommended amount of fertilizer to avoid an excess. After all, too much fertilizer is not good for my roots. Outside of the growing season, I don't need plant fertilizer because I rest during this period.

If you have just bought me, you don’t need to repot me for the first few months. I need all the energy I have to adjust to my new environment. You can, of course, put me in a decorative pot. After the first repotting session, I’d like a new pot every two years that is 20% bigger than my previous pot. Please repot me in Spring, this is when I’m at my strongest. I also like fresh potting soil, because this is filled with nutrients that I need to grow. Sometimes, it happens that I go through a major growth spurt and need a new pot sooner. You can check if I need a new pot by checking my roots. Do they grow out of the bottom of the pot? Then you can repot me sooner.

It is very important to plant me in an inner pot first before putting me in a decorative pot. Thus, you can check if you’ve overwatered me by checking if there is water on the bottom of the decorative pot. You can also easily water me from the bottom.

As I get older, it sometimes happens that my lower old leaves turn yellow. You can trim these away by cutting the stem to 5 inches above the stem. Always do this with clean, sharp scissors and in the spring so I will recover quickly.

I am a real air purifier! Thus, I make sure that the room I am standing in is provided with clean air. I do this by converting the CO2 in the air into oxygen. This gives you a boost of energy, focus and creativity.

I am not called the Banana Plant for nothing. When I have grown very large, as much as 3.5 meters tall and I am at least 4 years old, I can grow bananas! To do this, however, I need lots of light and heat. In the house, unfortunately, this will not happen.

By nature, I do sometimes get splits in my leaves. Don't worry, this is normal! I do this in nature to protect myself from strong winds.

I also sometimes grow small Banana plants when I am feeling good! Do remove these when they are at least 10 centimeters in size, because these small plants cause me to put all my energy into this and so my own growth stagnates. Plant the small plants in a pot and in no time you will have even more Barry's!

No, I am not edible.