The problem
Do you ever finish your smoothie, look at the peel and think: “Surely this could feed something?” You are not alone: social media is full of claims that soaking banana skins in water makes a fertiliser that will give you bigger leaves and better blooms.
The hack
Put banana peels in a jar of water, leave them to sit, then pour the liquid on your plants. Bananas do contain potassium and small amounts of other nutrients. The snag is you have no idea how strong it is or what’s missing.
The method
Steep a fresh peel in water for no longer than a day, strain it well, dilute again and use.
The test
I fed one peace lily with banana water and another with a standard fertiliser. The banana water-treated plant looked no different, but the soil developed a slimy layer and a small cloud of flies.
The verdict
The truth is that houseplants need a balanced diet, not a random splash of whatever has been steeping on the kitchen counter. Rotting peel can also bring smell, slime and a minor fruit fly convention to your pots. If you are determined to try it, keep it away from houseplants and use it outside on beds or borders.
