What To Do With Banana Peels In The Garden

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You already know, I love my kitchen scraps! They are so valuable, and I love showing people all of the ways they can be used around the home and garden.

Banana peels are no exception, in fact, I have found all sorts of ways to use banana peels in the garden! Before you toss your peels in the trash, you might want to keep reading!

Banana peels are nutrient rich, and a fantastic way to feed your plants for free. Want to learn more about creative ways to use banana peels in the garden?

First, let's talk about the questions I often hear when people are presented with the idea…this way we can clarify a few things!

Which plants benefit from banana peels?
Ivy plants adore banana peels as do most houseplants. They also do well when mixed with flowering plants or plants that produce a fruit, such as berries and tomatoes. Tomato plants especially love banana peels and all they offer.

Will banana peels make my plants look better?
Yes! Use banana peels to dust the leaves of your houseplants. Just wipe the peel along the foliage. Adding banana peel fertilizers to your soil (I will share this recipe below) will also add much needed protein and potassium to your plants.

Do banana peels repel garden pests?
I have more great news, they do! Add finely chopped banana peels to the soil to repel aphids. Remember to chop the peels very fine, or you will soon have a rodent problem.

Are banana peels good for potted plants?
Yes. Banana peels mixed into the soil (or served as banana peel tea, recipe below) can help keep your houseplants fed. Because the peels don't contain much nitrogen, you will need to use a nitrogen rich plant food as well.

Please note, since houseplants vary in care requirements you should check the specific needs of the plant you wish to feed prior to adding peels.

Be sure to check out my easy Houseplant Hacks here! So many great ideas!

Houseplant Tips

How do you put a banana peel in soil?

Using banana peels in your garden is so simple. Just dig the hole for the seedling and drop in the peel. If adding peels to already planted seedlings, just chop fine and sprinkle in around the soil.

Can I bury banana peels in my garden?

You sure can! This is one of the easiest ways to add potassium to your garden soil. If you are a shortcut gardener (me!) you can simply stir the peels into the soil prior to planting or even after planting.

Uses for bananas in vegetable gardens

Ways to use Banana Peels in the Garden
Ok, now we are getting to the good stuff! Hopefully, your questions about banana peels and how they can help your garden have been answered.

Now, now let's look at some specific uses! Here are some simple ways to use banana peels in the garden so you can start seeing some incredible results.

1. Make a nutrient rich banana peel tea.
This mixture is so easy to make and one of the easiest ways to feed your garden! It will provide nutrients such as magnesium and potassium for your plants, acting as a homemade fertilizer. You only need two ingredients to make this Homemade Banana Peel Fertilizer. And lucky for you, you can find the tutorial here.

Banana peel plant food

2. Feed your air plants.
This is one of the most creative ways to use banana peels that I have ever seen. Most air plants are set on a small piece of wood or driftwood as a base, but did you know you could use banana peels as its base?

Just cover the peel with a little organic matter such as moss and place the plant on it. The peel will break down and continue to feed the air plant.

3. Amend your potting soil.
Sometimes, potting soil needs a little boost. Banana peels can be finely chopped and added to your potting soil to give it a nutrient boost.

It will add potassium and magnesium to your soil without a ton of work. Remember to chop fine, so animals are not inclined to dig in your soil and make a mess.

4. Repel aphids.
Would you believe that aphids hate banana peels? If aphids are a problem in your garden, make the banana peel tea recipe as shared above, and spray directly onto the plants. This will help repel the aphids while also feeding the plants. It is a win/win!

5. Give your compost a super boost!
Banana peels in your compost bin won't just add nutrients, but they can also help attract beneficial pests and microbes that help break the mixture down.

Even if you don't have the energy to make banana peel tea or use banana peels in any of the ways mentioned above, you should consider tossing them into your compost bin where they will naturally break down and do their thing!

If you are new to composting and need some tips to get started, take a look at these 25 Items You Can Compost and see how simple it is to get a compost bin started.

What to Put in a Compost Bin

Ahhhh the power of banana peels! Are you ready to start saving those banana peels so you can put them to good use? I know I am.

Consider these creative ways to use banana peels in the garden, then be sure to check out some of the other gardening content I have been working on below.

– How to Use Egg Shells in Your Garden

– Homemade Orange Peel Fertilizer Recipe

– 6 Ways to Use Orange Peels in Your Garden