Are Bananas Good For Compost and Garden Soil?

Erica Groneman + photo

Erica Groneman

Jul 8
2 min read
bubble 5
peeled banana sitting on a cutting board

Before you throw away your banana peels, think about your garden. Did you know that banana peels are an excellent fertilizer as they are high in potassium, phosphorus, and calcium? They’ve also been found to have manganese, sodium, magnesium, and sulfur. All these nutrients are super beneficial to your plants.

Banana peels can be dried, then ground and sprinkled, chopped then spread, or even just added whole to add nutrients to your soil. You can use them as a nutritious layer of mulch (covered with a regular layer of mulch in order to prevent fruit flies). Of course, adding them to your compost pile is always an excellent option.

As a bonus, super ripe banana peels can be set out to attract butterflies, who then pollinate and beautify your garden. For more information look at our Butterfly Garden article. For easy-to-plant flowers try our Hummingbird & Butterfly, or Save the Monarchs specialty mix.

You can also make banana tea fertilizer for your plants. To do this simply put your banana peels in a jar with water and let it steep for a week or two. You then have liquid banana fertilizer that gives the plant roots instant nourishment. You can also spray this banana liquid onto the leaves of your plants to help deter aphids. How amazing is that?

Bananas are a zero-waste fruit. If you aren’t already, start feeding them to your indoor and outdoor gardens today. Your plants will surely thank you.

Happy gardening!

Become a True Leaf Market Brand Ambassador! You’ll enjoy awesome perks, free products and exclusive swag & offers! Help us create a gardening revolution and help others experience the joy of growing!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

5 comments

Nancy

Wow. I have been tossing away a lot of banana peels! Will start putting the. Outside!


Patti Martinez

I’ve been using banana peels for a couple of years, they make great fertilizer! They’re used to fertilize staghorn ferns so that just proves how great they are! I like making a tea with them then pouring it on my plants! Easy and inexpensive!


Lori L Frazee

I usually feed my peels to my worms. Looks like I can make tea then feed them to the worms… BONUS!! Thanks for the info


Gabrielle Boebel

Yes I love using banana peels in my garden! Banana peels also decompose very easily into the soil! I will occasionally soak one or two peels (stickers removed, of coarse!) Into a gallon or two of room temp water for 24 hours or so and use it to water my houseplants with as a natural fertilizer option instead of chemicals.


Wendy Strange

This is excellent!! Definitely going to start this!!


  1. Lara's 2024 Garden in Reviewgardener holding a carrot in a glove and a tomato plant with green fruits

    Lara's 2024 Garden in Review

    Written By Lara Wadsworth This year was only my third year having a garden to myself. Growing up, I gardened alongside my mother and grandmother, but after leaving home, I lived in apartments for many years without much space for a garden. I finally go...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-12-03
    13 min read
    bubble 0
  2. Cultivating Christmas TraditionsChristmas gifts, pine sprigs, and ornaments on dark background

    Cultivating Christmas Traditions

    Written By Lara Wadsworth The phrase “Christmas time is here!” will soon echo through your speakers and messaging all around. Most American families, regardless of religion, seem to be celebrating this massive holiday in one way or another. Some may fo...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-11-26
    8 min read
    bubble 0
  3. Giving Tuesday: Turning Gratitude Into Actiongiving tuesday header and person handing off a box of greens

    Giving Tuesday: Turning Gratitude Into Action

    There are a million ways to make the world better. But nothing can happen without action. The best way to make a difference is to start serving, donating, and seeing the people who are within your reach. Big, honorable stories often begin with someone ...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-11-19
    3 min read
    bubble 1
  4. Giving Thanks: The Origins and Traditions of ThanksgivingThanksgiving Day Spread

    Giving Thanks: The Origins and Traditions of Thanksgiving

    Written By Lara Wadsworth One of the most quintessential American holidays is Thanksgiving. With families gathered together, sharing copious amounts of food, and many groups watching either football or televised parades, it is hard to see the true orig...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-11-15
    8 min read
    bubble 1