Cassabanana: A Unique and Fragrant Fruit
If you have some outdoor space, a long, warm growing season, and a desire for something new and exciting to grow, cassabanana is the perfect plant for you. With its long, ornamental vines and huge, sweet, fragrant fruit, cassabanana is a great addition to any garden and a surefire conversation starter.
What is Cassabanana?
Despite its name, cassabanana (Sicana odorifera) is not actually a banana. It’s a type of gourd, but its fruit is very similar to a melon. Cassabanana fruits can grow to be about 2 feet long and 5 inches thick, and they are nearly perfect cylinders, sometimes with a slight curve. The skin can be red, maroon, purple, or even black, and it’s thick enough that you’ll need a machete to cut it open.
Inside, the yellow flesh of the cassabanana is very similar in taste and texture to that of a cantaloupe. The smell, which is very strong even before the fruit has been cut, is sweet and pleasant. In fact, cassabanana fruits are often placed in closets and around houses as an air sweetener and moth deterrent.
How to Grow Cassabanana Plants
Cassabanana plants are native to Brazil and are now grown throughout South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. If you start them very early indoors, however, you may be able to grow them as far north as USDA zone 6. The main challenge in temperate zones is giving the fruits enough time to ripen before the first frost.
Starting Cassabanana Seeds
Before you sow cassabanana seeds, it’s a good idea to soak them in water for a few hours. This will help them germinate more quickly. Plant the seeds about an inch deep in a bright, sunny location. The plants should germinate within a few weeks.
Transplanting Cassabanana Seedlings
Once all danger of frost has passed, you can transplant the cassabanana seedlings outdoors. Choose a location that receives full sun and has well-drained soil. Cassabanana plants can also be grown indoors in areas outside their hardiness zone.
Caring for Cassabanana Plants
The cassabanana plant is a single vine that can grow to be 50 feet long. The vine produces tendrils with suction-cup like discs that allow it to climb almost any surface. It can easily climb a tree, but there is a risk that it will suffocate and kill the tree. The best option is to let it climb a sturdy trellis or arbor.
Keep the cassabanana plants moist throughout the growing season. You can fertilize them with a balanced feed or compost once they get a little more growth to them, if desired.
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How to Grow Cassabanana Plants in Temperate Climates
If you live in a temperate climate, you can still grow cassabanana plants, but you’ll need to start them very early indoors and provide them with plenty of sunlight and warmth. You may also need to protect them from frost in the fall.
How to Grow Cassabanana Plants Indoors
Growing cassabanana plants indoors is a great option if you live in a cold climate. You can grow them in a sunny window or under grow lights. Be sure to provide them with plenty of water and fertilizer.
What is Cassabanana?
Cassabanana is a unique and fragrant fruit that is native to South America. It is similar to a melon in taste and texture, but it has a thick, colorful skin. Cassabanana fruits are often used as air sweeteners and moth deterrents.
Is Cassabanana a Banana?
No, cassabanana is not a banana. It is a type of gourd that is related to melons and cucumbers.
Cassabanana vs Melon
Cassabanana and melon are both fruits that have a sweet, juicy flesh. However, cassabanana has a thicker skin and a more intense flavor than melon.
Cassabanana vs Cantaloupe
Cassabanana and cantaloupe are both melons that have a sweet, orange flesh. However, cassabanana has a thicker skin and a more intense flavor than cantaloupe.
How to Use Cassabanana as an Air Sweetener
Cassabanana fruits can be used as an air sweetener by placing them in closets, drawers, or other enclosed spaces. The strong, sweet smell of the fruit will help to freshen the air and eliminate odors.
How to Use Cassabanana as a Moth Deterrent
Cassabanana fruits can also be used as a moth deterrent. Place the fruits in closets, drawers, or other areas where moths are a problem. The strong smell of the fruit will help to deter the moths.
How to Care for Cassabanana Vines
Cassabanana vines are vigorous growers that can quickly cover a trellis or arbor. Be sure to provide them with plenty of water and fertilizer. You may also need to prune the vines to keep them under control.
How to Prevent Cassabanana Vines from Suffocating Trees
If you are growing cassabanana vines on a tree, be sure to keep the vines trimmed so that they do not suffocate the tree. You may also need to provide the tree with additional water and fertilizer to help it withstand the competition from the vines.
How to Grow Cassabanana Plants in USDA Zone 6
Growing cassabanana plants in USDA zone 6 is possible, but you will need to start them very early indoors and provide them with plenty of sunlight and warmth. You may also need to protect them from frost in the fall.
