rosa: I don't have a M alba. But my M figo (or banana shrub) is growing beautifully. It is in the ground, facing west. It is infront of our AC unit so might get a lot of moisture here. I would think this is probably not the best spot, but somehow, all the gardenias, camellias and this M figo seem very happy here. I only feed with coffee ground, which I do get a lot from the starbucks.

It blooms in spring. Very sweet. Somehow this year it smells like bubble gum or tooth paste. I like how it smelled before, a very ripe banana smell.

Changsong

Noticed your zone is much colder so what I said might not relate to you. I was told that M alba can be huge so it might be difficult to grow in a pot. My banana shrub reaches 4*4 in 3 years.

Thanks for your reply. I think I'll need to keep both of the plants in containers in the sun room to avoid freezing them to death. It's much colder in central Oklahoma. Could you please elaborate on how you use the coffee grounds. I have lots of coffee grounds since it is my drug of choice, but I've been putting them on the compost pile rather than my house plants or porch plants.

I use coffee ground only on my plants in the ground. I use the slow release fertilizer on potted plants.
If you cook rice, you can save the water after you wash them on your potted plants. My jasmine, agalia, corn plant and other houseplants definitely enjoy them.
Happy gardening
Changsong

M. X Alba is more tender than M. figo. If you are in Zone 6ï¼ they both need to come in your sunroom. They would be semi-dormant during winter but would survive if you can keep the temperature about 40F. Be very careful with watering as these plants can get root rot easily, especially in winter when they are not using much water. It is also helpful to provide good air movement and try misting both sides of the leaves a couple times a week since they are very prone to spider mite infestation indoors.

I have both plants potted in clay pots using a general purpose potting soil. The M.figo looks pretty good, although it didn't grow much this summer, but the M. alba has a few dry brown leaf margins. Do you suggest I repot it in a cactus soil mix, or leave well enough alone and not water it until I see a slight wilt.