Banana peels are great for your plants, or at least that is what the internet says. You should bury some peels in the bottom of the hole when planting roses. You can add them to water and let them sit for a few days to make banana peel tea, an excellent fertilizer for indoor plants. Try drying them into a black leather and then crushing them to make banana skin powder which is great for the garden. I even found one web page that makes a fertilizer spray out of them.
Eating banana peels is also a hot topic and they reportedly provide all kinds of health benefits and even whiten teeth.
Lets have a look at the reality of banana peels for plants. Are they better than just another source of organic matter?
The Magical Powers of Banana Peels in The Garden
Banana Peels for Plants – The Claims
I started this post when I saw a YouTube video that claimed banana peels have an NPK of 0-25-42.
When you see claims like this it is critical that you give them a quick sniff test for reality. Does it make sense? Does it seem realistic? If not – run for the hills because the rest of the advice is now suspect.
A banana peel is part of a plant. A plant needs protein to function – all living organisms have this requirement, and protein contains nitrogen. Clearly the number zero for nitrogen is complete nonsense. No living organism, including all plant material has a nitrogen level of zero.
All living organisms contain water, and in fact they contain a lot of water. You probably know humans are mostly water and so are plants. This number is around 80%. If a banana is 80% water, how can the potassium level be 42%?
Even if you didn’t know the 80% moisture value, the above NPK number says that 67%, or 1/3 of a banana peel is phosphate and potash. Does that make any sense at all? NO!
This is not the only site that claimed a 42% potassium level, which is completely ridiculous.
The Question to Ask
All organic matter is good for soil and plants. They all provide a carbon source and plant nutrients as the organic matter decomposes.
The important question is, are banana peels significantly more nutritious than other sources of organic matter. Do they provide any unique beneficial chemicals? If they do, they might be a superfood for plants.
Vague Claims for Banana Peels
Do a bit of Googling and you quickly find all kinds of claims saying banana peels have a “high” nutritional value. Some even say the peel has higher nutrients than the banana. This sounds convincing, but you may have noticed that there are no numbers included in these statements.
What does “high’ mean? And how much higher is it compared to other organic matter? Without numbers, these are just fancy words to try and convince you to believe a story.
Dry or Wet Weight?
Even when numbers are supplied, there is still a big problem with the data. Is this based on wet weight or dry weight? When someone says a banana peel is 42% potassium, is that based on a normal wet peel or a dry peel? This is a crucial point since most of a banana peel is water.
Chemists get around this problem by reporting chemical content on a dry weight basis. But many sources take these numbers, if they even bother to look it up, and present them as a wet weight, which exaggerates the value by a huge amount.
Chemical Analysis of Banana Peels
Several nutritional experts made the claim that banana peels have not been studied for nutrients, but I had no problem finding some studies.
Note: Except for the moisture values, all percent values are based on dry weights.
Sources: Source A, Source B, Source C, Source D
The average nitrogen in protein is 16%, so the 3.5% protein in banana skins is equivalent to 0.6% nitrogen.
The above table reports values for potassium and phosphorus, but NPK uses values as potash and phosphate. The potash and phosphate in banana peels is 11.5% and 0.4%.
The NPK value for banana skins is 0.6-0.4-11.5. But this is the value for dried banana skins since all of the above values are calculated on a dry weight basis. The NPK of fresh banana peels is 1/5 of that, making an NPK of 0.1-0.1-2.3.
For comparison, purchased bagged manure is around 1-1-1.
Are Bananas High in Potassium?
Not really. Bananas have more potassium than some other food, like grains and meat, but all fruits and vegetables are higher in potassium – “there is nothing special about bananas. Tomatoes, potatoes, and beets also have potassium and often more potassium than your average banana.”
One cup of chocolate milk contains the same amount of potassium as a banana.
Magical Properties of Banana Peels
There are also some vague claims of other important chemicals in banana peels that might be beneficial to plants, but I found no specific claims that could be reviewed.
There are many more claims for our health, including things like antioxidants, but a cursory look shows that the science is not there for the benefit of these, at least not yet.
Banana peels are just another source of plant organic matter.
Banana peel tea is NOT a good fertilizer, photo source: Pinterest
Banana Peel Tea
Some claim you can steep banana peels in water, either using hot water, or just letting them sit for several days in the sun.
I have reviewed the value of using left over tea before and this tea would be no different. There is limited decomposition during the process of making it, which means that most of the nutrients remain in the peels.
Potassium leaches out of organic matter more quickly since it is not chemically bound, and banana peels have a higher level of potassium, so the tea might add some potassium, but not much else.
Don’t get conned by tea claims for plants.
Banana Peels for Roses
This is a very common piece of advice. Place some banana peels in the hole before you plant roses. Some even take the time to cut them into small pieces.
Why just roses? If this was good advice, would it not be good advice for all plants? Or is just that roses love bananas – or is that garlic?
As banana peels compost, they turn into black mush. I just can’t see this being good for new tender roots?
Look at the NPK. It is very high in potassium relative to nitrogen and phosphate. That is not an ideal ratio for plants. To compensate for this some people add eggshells! We know eggshells don’t decompose in most soil, and how would adding calcium balance the problem?
This idea probably started because people believe bananas have a high potassium level, and we have the very common myth, that potassium stimulates roots – which it doesn’t. From this misinformation it naturally follows that banana peels stimulate roots and flowers on roses?
This is just a dumb idea.
Bury Them Around Plants
If you forget to add them to the planting hole you can dig up the soil around the roses, add the peels, and cover them with soil. Roots grow in the top few inches of soil – digging around the base of shrubs is never a good idea.
What Should You Do With Banana Peels?
Banana peels may contain a psychoactive substance, and smoking them may produce a “high”, or a sense of relaxation. This may be a myth associated with the 1966 song “Mellow Yellow” by Donovan.
Apparently, some people even eat them as a cooked desert or a smoothie drink, and that is OK. A vegan food blogger’s recipe uses banana peel as a ‘pulled pork substitute’ – I don’t think so!
Banana peels are just another form of plant-based organic matter. Add them to the compost pile, or spread them on the ground to decompose. They will add value to both the soil and plants but they are not a superfood.
Don’t get hooked in by all the crazy ideas on the internet.
FAQs
Is it good to throw banana peels in the garden? ›
Banana peels are good for gardens because they contain 42 percent potassium (abbreviated to its scientific name K), one of the three major components of fertilizer along with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and shown on fertilizer labels as NPK. In fact, banana peels have the highest organic sources of potassium.
What happens when you put bananas in your garden? ›Banana peels contain: calcium, which promotes root growth helps add oxygen to your soil. magnesium, which assists with photosynthesis. sulphur, which helps plants develop strong roots and repel pests.
Why you shouldn't throw banana peels on the ground? ›Not only is your trash unsightly, but it also has negative impacts on wildlife. All those peels attract animals and override their instinctual wariness of humans. This can lead to begging, over-crowding, and even human-animal conflicts when that cute squirrel sees your trail mix and won't take no for an answer.
What does banana peel symbolize? ›Whether or not people frequently slipped on the rotten skins, the banana peel came to symbolize poor manners. Around 1880, Harper's Weekly admonished anyone who tossed their banana peels on a public walkway, as this would likely result in broken limbs.
Can you just throw banana peels on the ground? ›Human food scraps are an attractant to wildlife and take a very long time to decompose, experts say. Have you ever thrown your banana peel or apple core on the ground while you were hiking? Well, according to a representative from Parks Canada, these remnants of popular hiking snacks should never be left behind.
Do banana peels attract bugs in the garden? ›Just bury the whole banana peel into your garden! You can chop the peels into little pieces and bury them into your smaller potted plants. (And NO, they do not attract bugs!
What do bananas do at night? ›But did you know bananas can also help you sleep? It turns out; this beloved fruit is the perfect sleep aid. It provides several vitamins and minerals that can improve the quality of your sleep. Bananas reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate muscle cramps, and regulate your sleep-wake cycle with serotonin and melatonin.
Why do farmers put bags over bananas? ›Bagging consists in placing a cover over the bunch to protect the fruit against damage caused by insects and other animals, by rubbing against the leaves or by the application of chemical products1 2 . The innovation is attributed to Carlos Gonzales Fajardo in 1956 in Guatemala.
Why should I stick a needle in a banana? ›Bend the pin as needed, and push in the locations where you'd like to stop. Instead of creating damage to the banana peel, the trick is to have the blade go through the banana while pinning it in place. At the final moment of the entire process, the banana will smell and taste as if it had never been peeled.
What do banana peels repel? ›Gardeners are of the opinion that banana peels control aphids like greenflies, blackflies and whiteflies. You can sprinkle them around your plants or even bury them in your garden. The flies will disappear in a matter of two days.
What happens when you bury a banana peel? ›
Burying a banana peel in your potting soil will add more nutrients than the soaking method. However, the peels will break down so slowly that they likely won't provide an adequate amount of nutrients when your plants need them.
What is banana spiritually? ›Bananas symbolize a variety of positive things such as energy, good nutrition, monetary and financial growth, and a healthy lifestyle. Bananas have different interpretations according to various religions and cultures, and their shape is highly symbolic of fertility and romantic desire.
What does rubbing a banana peel do? ›Skin Soother
Banana peel is said to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Research suggests that it has a soothing effect on the skin and can help relieve conditions like psoriasis and eczema, while soothing bug bites, wounds, sunburns and skin irritations.
Bananas are a great way to restore softness and remove dead skin from your feet. The enzymes in the banana peel help remove the dead skin cells on the surface of your feet and leave soft skin behind.
What animal will eat banana peels? ›Banana peels are sometimes used as feedstock for cattle, goats, pigs, monkeys, poultry, rabbits, fish, zebras and several other species, typically on small farms in regions where bananas are grown. There are some concerns over the impact of tannins contained in the peels on animals that consume them.
How long does it take for banana peels to decompose in soil? ›Banana peels: The peels of bananas take up to 2 years to biodegrade.
Do squirrels eat banana peels? ›Do Squirrels Eat Banana Peels? Squirrels love bananas but banana peels aren't a part of their natural diet. Peels are edible and full of nutrients; eating peels will be beneficial to squirrels. But banana peels contain more cellulose, a substance both humans and animals cannot digest.
How long do you leave banana peels in water for plants? ›- Cut up banana peels and place in a large bowl or tub. Cover with water. ...
- Soak for 2 to 3 days, allowing the minerals to extract. ...
- Use as is for your plants (no need to dilute). ...
- Note: The bottles may swell slightly due to fermentation, however you can 'burp' your bottles easily occasionally by unscrewing the lid.
Place the peels in a shallow dish with a little water to help draw out the juices. Butterflies will flock from all over to dine. If you have bananas that are overly ripe, don't toss them. Butterflies love mushy bananas and will devour them.
Do banana peels keep aphids away? ›Banana Peel
Aphids hate bananas! Who knew? If you finely chop a banana peel and then plant the peel around the base of the affected plant, the aphids will get the hint and go away.
Do banana peels attract mosquitoes? ›
Eating bananas will not attract mosquitoes and taking vitamin B-12 will not repel them; these are old wives' tales. Some mosquito species are leg and ankle biters; they cue into the stinky smell of bacteria on your feet.
Do banana peels attract roaches? ›The scent of the banana peel will draw the cockroaches in but, the inside of the jar will be slippery and not allow them to escape.
Do banana peels repel mosquitoes? ›Bananas have not been proven to attract or repel mosquitoes. Experts agree that consuming bananas or other foods do not make us more or less attractive to mosquitoes, but what's in our body's natural chemistry – etched in our DNA!
What not to eat before bed? ›- Chocolate. High levels of caffeine in chocolate make it a poor choice for late-night snacking. ...
- Cheese. While cheese is generally considered a comfort food, it is actually one of the worst foods to eat before bed. ...
- Curry. ...
- Ice cream. ...
- Crisps. ...
- Cherries. ...
- Raw honey. ...
- Bananas.
But as per Ayurveda, banana can lead to mucus production and eating this fruit at night can choke your throat. Apart from this, banana is a heavy fruit and our stomach takes a lot of time to digest it. This is because our metabolism is the lowest at night. Eating bananas at night might lead to stomach issues.
What is good food before bed? ›- Almonds. Almonds are a type of tree nut with many health benefits. ...
- Turkey. Turkey is delicious and nutritious. ...
- Chamomile tea. ...
- Kiwi. ...
- Tart cherry juice. ...
- Fatty fish. ...
- Walnuts. ...
- Passionflower tea.
Bananas that are stored in plastic bags will ripen faster. Instead, keep your bananas at room temperature in a cool, dark place to be sure they receive fresh, well-ventilated air. Bananas sitting in direct sunlight or near the stove will shrivel up and turn brown at a faster rate.
Why shouldn't you put bananas in plastic bags? ›Don't put them in a bag or a closed space; that'll only hasten the ripening process.
Can I put my bananas in a Ziploc bag? ›Wrap completely in plastic: Never store an entire banana in a plastic bag. Store it directly next to other fruit: Please mind the gap! Exert pressure: You can leave the skin of the fruit alone if you want to store bananas correctly.
Why should you rub a banana peel on your arm? ›According to Healthline, banana peel, rich in antioxidants, fibre and essential nutrients, helps brighten the skin and reduce wrinkles. It even acts as a moisturiser and helps in hydrating the skin. Several studies have found banana peel to have anti-inflammatory properties, too.
What is the banana trick at Walmart? ›
The so-called “banana trick” is a technique used to steal in self-pay that involves charging an expensive item like shrimp, which sells for more than $20, at the price of an inexpensive item like a banana, which averages around $0.49 per pound.
Is it better to hang bananas or lay them down? ›Hang Your Bananas
Turns out there's a scientific reason you should be hanging your bananas from a hook. If you hang bananas from a hook, the ethylene gas works more slowly. Hanging bananas also prevents them from bruising on the counter, which they're more prone to do as they continue ripening.
Bananas have not been proven to attract or repel mosquitoes. Experts agree that consuming bananas or other foods do not make us more or less attractive to mosquitoes, but what's in our body's natural chemistry – etched in our DNA!
Does bananas attract or repel mosquitoes? ›Bananas and beer [20,21] are the only dietary components that have been shown to increase mosquito attraction. Digestion of some types of foods appears to result in rapid metabolic changes that alter host odors that are detectable by mosquitoes and may increase the likelihood of contact and biting.
Are coffee grounds good for a garden? ›Adding coffee grounds directly to the soil as a fertiliser can be a good option. Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients, especially nitrogen. They also have some amount of other nutrients like potassium and phosphorous. Overall, this means that adding coffee grounds to your garden can work fairly well as a fertiliser.
Do banana peels help tomatoes grow? ›The potassium and phosphorus in banana peels is particularly useful for growing tomato plants. Furthermore, because banana peels decompose quickly, they make great organic composting material to put around your plants.
What is the power of banana? ›They may boost your digestion and heart health thanks to their fiber and antioxidant contents. Plus, they may support weight loss because they're relatively low in calories, nutrient dense, and filling. Both ripe, yellow bananas and unripe, green bananas can satisfy your sweet tooth and help keep you healthy.
Do bananas release energy? ›Bananas contain helpful nutrients that make the body feel full of energy. A study in the journal PLoS One notes that eating a banana before a long bicycle ride helps performance and endurance just as much as a carbohydrate drink. While most people are not cycling each day, bananas may still provide energy.
Do bananas provide power? ›Bananas give you energy – minus the fats and cholesterol Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose – giving you a fat and cholesterol-free source of energy. As such, bananas are ideal, especially for children and athletes, for breakfast, as a midday snack or before and after sports.
Can banana peels help with wrinkles? ›According to Healthline, banana peel, rich in antioxidants, fibre and essential nutrients, helps brighten the skin and reduce wrinkles. It even acts as a moisturiser and helps in hydrating the skin. Several studies have found banana peel to have anti-inflammatory properties, too just like the fruit.
How do you activate a banana peel? ›
To prepare the activated carbon, banana peel was carbonized using furnace at 500ºC. Then the resulted carbon was activated using chemical activation with ZnCl2 and physical activation with either microwave (300 W) or furnace (700°C).
Does banana peel whiten teeth? ›Banana peels don't do anything to whiten your teeth. Many articles recommend rubbing the peel against your teeth for a few minutes. While this could scrub off some surface stains, it's no more effective than brushing your teeth. Banana peels have no special whitening properties.
Why you shouldn't throw banana peels? ›Not only is your trash unsightly, but it also has negative impacts on wildlife. All those peels attract animals and override their instinctual wariness of humans. This can lead to begging, over-crowding, and even human-animal conflicts when that cute squirrel sees your trail mix and won't take no for an answer.
Why can't humans eat banana peels? ›While it is safe to eat banana peels, it's important to wash them thoroughly first. According to the Environmental Working Group, bananas are grown in a pesticide-intensive environment. This means that chemical residues may be left on the peel when you buy your bananas from a store.
Is it good to rub the inside of a banana peel on your face? ›“There's no scientific evidence to suggest that rubbing a banana peel on your face is going to help,” Dr. Bullock says.
How do you prepare a banana peel for a garden? ›- Cut up banana peels and place in a large bowl or tub. Cover with water. ...
- Soak for 2 to 3 days, allowing the minerals to extract. Then using a colander, strain into a bottle.
- Use as is for your plants (no need to dilute). The soaked peels can be given to your worms or put in the compost.
The compost bin is the ideal place to put your banana peel if you do not want to use it for the aforementioned purposes or more. Being a food waste, the composting bin is the ideal place to throw your banana peels. Additionally, composting them is a very easy process.
What happens if I bury a banana peel? ›Burying a banana peel in your potting soil will add more nutrients than the soaking method. However, the peels will break down so slowly that they likely won't provide an adequate amount of nutrients when your plants need them.
Is it OK to throw a banana peel out the window? ›If it looks and smells like food, it will attract rodents. That is one of the reasons it is best to avoid throwing your banana peels in your garden, on the trail, or out the window. You will give pests like mice and squirrel the wrong impression that there is a good source nearby.
Can I spray banana peel water on plants? ›Banana Peel water can be very beneficial to plants by adding valuable minerals and nutrients to the soil. It helps increase bacterial growth which in turn breaks down organics compounds within the soil making nutrients easily available for plants to use.
What happens when you soak a banana peel in water? ›
Soaking the banana peels allows the nutrients to leech into the water, and once it hits the soil, the roots grab all those sweet, sweet minerals. You can soak the peel whole, but according to one commenter, chopping it up exposes more surface area, allowing more nutrients to release into the water.
Do banana peels attract bugs? ›(And NO, they do not attract bugs! I was thinking the same thing, decomposing, sweet, banana peels in my houseplants? I learned they're actually a natural insect repellent...) Brew a nutrient-rich tea to water your plants with.
Do banana peels repel ants? ›Avoid using potentially hazardous insecticides to repel aphids and ants from the garden by using orange and banana peels to keep the pests away. Cut up banana peels to bury 1 to 2 inches deep in the soil around plants that are prone to aphid infestations to repel and remove aphids from the area.
Is banana peel good for wrinkles? ›According to Healthline, banana peel, rich in antioxidants, fibre and essential nutrients, helps brighten the skin and reduce wrinkles. It even acts as a moisturiser and helps in hydrating the skin. Several studies have found banana peel to have anti-inflammatory properties, too just like the fruit.
Can I apply banana peel on my face overnight? ›To Reduce wrinkles – As always rub the inner part of the banana peel on your skin. You can leave it overnight as it will dry and not be a mess, see the difference in a few days! 6. To Tighten Pores: Simply cut banana peels into small pieces and rub it all over the face.
Do cucumbers like banana peels? ›Banana peel fertilizer is perfect for plants with low-nitrogen requirements such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and even radishes. But don't worry, even nitrogen-loving plants will benefit from the use of banana peel fertilizer.