Veinte Cohol Banana (Musa acuminata ‘Veinte Cohol’)
Veinte Cohol is a distinctive dessert banana cultivar of Musa acuminata that stands out for one practical reason: speed. In warm weather it can move from bunch fill to harvest far faster than many common bananas, making it a strong option for gardeners who want to trial banana production where the season is shorter or where cold snaps can end the year abruptly.
The fruit is typically smaller than standard Cavendish-type bananas and is often described as tangier with a subtle citrus note. The plant itself has the classic banana look—broad tropical leaves, a stout pseudostem, and a dramatic inflorescence—bringing immediate “food forest” presence whether it is grown as a perennial in warm areas or as a warm-season crop in cooler subtropics.
In Florida planting zone 9, Veinte Cohol is best treated like other bananas: place it in sun to light shade, give it consistent moisture and rich organic matter, and protect it from cold wind. Where winters are colder, gardeners sometimes treat it as a seasonal banana (or protect the corm heavily) to push flowering and fruiting before frost.
Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Musa acuminata ‘Veinte Cohol’ |
|---|---|
| Family Name: | Musaceae (Banana family) |
| Common Name(s): | Veinte Cohol Banana |
| Size: | Typically 6–12+ ft tall (pseudostem) depending on heat, fertility, and water; forms clumps via pups |
| Plant Type: | Herbaceous perennial (tropical); often grown as a seasonal crop where winters are cold |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | Cultivar of Musa acuminata (dessert-type banana) used in subtropical banana trials |
| Native to: | Species lineage from Southeast Asia (wild Musa acuminata background); cultivar is a domesticated selection |
| Planted range in the USA: | Warm regions (e.g., Florida and the Gulf/Southeast); also trialed as a warm-season banana in cooler subtropics |
| Conservation Status: | Not applicable (cultivated selection) |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Plant in spring after soils warm; give the corm time to root before peak summer heat and storm season |
|---|---|
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun to partial shade (best fruiting in higher sun with consistent moisture) |
| Soil Type: | Rich, well-drained soil with high organic matter; avoid hardpan or chronically waterlogged sites |
| Soil pH: | 5.5 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Water Requirements: | High; keep evenly moist during active growth and fruit fill, but do not leave standing water around the corm |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | High feeder; use a balanced N-P-K fertilizer during active growth, and ensure adequate potassium for fruiting. |
| Pruning Requirements: | Remove dead/torn leaves as needed; thin pups to maintain 1–2 strong followers per fruiting mat for better bunch size |
| Growth Rate: | Fast in warm weather with moisture and fertility |
| Companion Planting: | Pairs well with living mulches and nitrogen-fixers that build soil and reduce weeds beneath the canopy |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Low; drought stress reduces growth and fruit quality—mulch and consistent irrigation are critical |
|---|---|
| Frost Tolerance: | Low; foliage and pseudostem can be damaged near/freezing. The corm may resprout if protected and cold is brief |
| Heat Tolerance: | Excellent; thrives in summer heat with adequate water |
| Wind Tolerance: | Low to moderate; leaves tear in wind—plant near windbreaks and avoid exposed sites |
| Salt Tolerance: | Low; avoid direct coastal exposure and salt spray |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | Best as a perennial in 9–11; may be grown with protection/timing in warmer microclimates outside that range |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Banana (botanically a berry), produced in “hands” on a bunch |
|---|---|
| Harvest Time: | In warm conditions, bunches can mature quickly; harvest when fruits are plump and angles have rounded, before heavy wildlife pressure |
| Fruit Description: | Smaller dessert banana; often described as tangier than Cavendish with a subtle citrus note |
| Edible Plant: | Yes (fruit) |
| Edible Parts: | Fruit pulp |
| Medicinal: | Not a primary medicinal plant; valued mainly as a nutrient-dense fruit (traditional uses vary) |
| Flower Color: | Creamy-white flowers held under purple to reddish bracts |
| Flower Shape: | Large, pendulous inflorescence with layered bracts |
| Fragrance: | Light to mild |
| Flower Bloom Time: | Warm season once the mat reaches maturity |
| Bloom Duration: | Bracts open progressively over days to weeks as the bunch forms |
| Pollination: Self or Other? | Most dessert bananas set fruit parthenocarpically (without pollination); insects may visit but are not required for fruit set |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Bees may visit flowers; ripe fruit can attract birds and other wildlife if left on the plant |
|---|---|
| Pollinators: | Bees and other insects may forage on floral resources (pollination typically not required for fruiting) |
| Problematic Pest: | Can be affected by aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, banana weevil, and nematodes (pressure varies by site and care). |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | Generally considered non-toxic |
|---|---|
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | None commonly recognized as poisonous |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not toxic; sap can be mildly irritating to sensitive skin (wash after heavy handling) |
| Toxic to Animals: | Not typically toxic; ingestion of tough foliage in large amounts may cause mild stomach upset |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Fungal leaf spots (e.g., Sigatoka), fusarium wilt (Panama disease), and fruit rots in humid conditions—support airflow, sanitation, and drainage |
Companion Planting
For Musa acuminata ‘Veinte Cohol’ (Veinte Cohol Banana), strong companions are plants that help build soil, protect moisture, reduce weed pressure, and attract beneficial insects—without crowding the banana’s base. Below are options that fit Florida-friendly landscapes, including Florida Native and Florida Friendly picks.
Florida Native: Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Zone Range: 7–11
Benefits: Living mulch that suppresses weeds and supports pollinators; helps reduce soil splash in rains.
Use: Let it fill pathways and edges around a banana patch (keep a clear mulch ring right at the pseudostem).
Florida Native: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Zone Range: 6–10
Benefits: Adds biodiversity and wildlife value; can provide partial wind buffering at the patch edge.
Use: Plant on the perimeter of the banana mat where it won’t shade the banana too heavily.
Florida Native: Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Understory structure that thrives in dappled light; supports beneficial insects and birds.
Use: Place where the banana canopy gives partial shade, keeping adequate spacing for airflow.
Florida Friendly: Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)
Zone Range: 9–11 (often grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixer; excellent chop-and-drop biomass; can function as a temporary nurse/windbreak.
Use: Plant near (not on top of) the banana mat and prune for mulch as the banana gains height.
Florida Friendly: Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Fast groundcover for weed suppression and moisture retention; produces edible tubers with good care.
Use: Use as a living mulch in sunny edges—keep vines from climbing the banana pseudostem.
Florida Friendly: Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Aromatic clumps help define beds and add biomass for mulching.
Use: Plant as a border clump where it won’t crowd the banana’s root zone; harvest routinely to keep it tidy.
Keep the banana’s base clear: maintain a wide, thick mulch ring (no competing stems right against the pseudostem). Group companions by irrigation needs, and prioritize airflow to reduce fungal pressure. In colder spells, protect the corm with extra mulch and consider a windbreak or cover for the mat.
Sources & References
Reference list used for general horticultural guidance and Florida-relevant best practices (not medical advice):
- UF/IFAS Extension (Solutions for Your Life) — general banana growing guidance, pests/diseases, and Florida home landscape practices.
- UF/IFAS EDIS Publication Database — research-based references for plant care, pests, and diseases.
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program — water-wise and sustainable landscape recommendations.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zone reference framework for planting suitability.
- EPPO Global Database — general plant health and pest/disease reference terminology.