I live in Maryland and have two Banana plants in pots on my Porch. They started under one foot long. They grew the pots and I transferred them in 8 gallons pots. I applied 10-10-10 fertilizer. I am 6'2" and the Banana plants are taller than me now. The leaves pend in sun is natural, self-defense. I am starting now to dig holes in the garden soil and I will bury the pots in. The holes on the bottom of pots are blocked thanks GOD. I will drill drainage holes on the side to allow the roots to travel in my Garden soil. When the freeze season arrives I will cut the roots around the pots dig the pots out and take them in. I mentioned that the drainage holes on the bottom of the pots are blocked. if not blocked and the roots go through these holes to my Garden soil I will need Bob-Eye muscles to pull these pots out. I have no idea if I will ever get Fruits in Maryland weather but the plants are pretty.

Banana Babysitter....you sound like a very good friend, that is being taken advantage of big time! I know this isnt the advise you wanted. She dumps some huge banana 'trees' in huge pots on you, and doesn't tell you when she will take them back? She is paying you how much for taking care of them, for the water, fertilizer,new pots, soil etc... they sound like they are getting big and need bigger pots,more soil,etc. And they are going to go back into a small apartment...when? They don't fit now in the pots they are in now, and she cant handle them?...right? How is she going to handle bigger trees?

They aren't going to grow in reverse and shrink. So she won't be able to take them back. It sounds like she is taking advantage of your friendship.

I mean being a friend is one thing, taking advantage of a friend is another thing. Sure they can live in pots for a long time, certain 'ornamental' ones can live in pots all their lives inside, but fruit bearing ones, and these sound like fruit bearing ones, will just be unhappy and not look good and can grow so many pups in the soil,they can break clay pots easily! And split plastic pots in half.

They need to be outside in the ground. Call and tell her to come get her babies, or they go to the dump or a community garden, if you have one near you. Or at least ask when is she coming to get them? As you see they grow inside, sure, but as you also see, they arent to happy, they dont look to good, and to many pups are starting in the pots? Those will crack a pot very easily, so can just the roots!

They can grow a long time inside,if you had ornamental varieties, thats one thing, but these sound like fruit type, and they need room to grow and full sun and tons of water, and fertilizer. They wont go into a small apartment. You have a lot of patience.