Dwarf Orinoco' Burro Banana

The Dwarf Orinoco (often called Burro Banana) is a stout, sturdy banana variety grown for its thick, boxy fruit that can be enjoyed both green (cooked) or fully ripe (sweet and fresh). This Central and South American heirloom is highly adaptable, cold-tolerant, and well-suited for home growers, small farms, and tropical food forests.

It’s a true dual-purpose banana — slice it green for frying like plantains, or let it ripen for a tangy-sweet dessert banana with hints of lemon and apple.

🌿 Plant Growth

• Compact and tough: grows to 8–10 ft tall

• Thick trunk and wind-resistant — excellent for exposed or urban areas

• Great for container growing or small spaces

• Starts fruiting in 12–18 months with good care

• Tolerates partial shade but prefers full sun for best yield

🍌 Fruit Description

• Short, thick bananas with squared edges — burro-shaped

• Firm texture with a tangy-sweet bite when ripe

• Cook green like plantains (tostones, boiling, baking), or eat fresh when soft and yellow

• Flavor notes when ripe: lemony banana, apple custard, creamy starch

• Reliable bunch size: 30–50 lbs per fruiting cycle

❄️ Cold Tolerance

• USDA Zones 8b–11

• One of the most cold-tolerant banana types available

• Can survive frost and regrow from the base if frozen

📅 Harvest Season

• Fruits 12–18 months after planting

• Ripens 4–5 months after flowering

• Excellent yield across Florida, Gulf Coast, and Southern California

💼 Ideal For

• Urban gardens, backyard growers, and edible landscaping

• Home cooks who want both a cooking and dessert banana in one plant

• Nurseries offering tough, low-maintenance tropicals

• Rare fruit collectors looking for versatility and reliability

🔒 Zill High Performance Notes

Our Dwarf Orinoco starts are grown from hardened field pups, not tissue culture, and selected for strong stems, excellent regrowth, and healthy foliage. A must-have for anyone looking to grow bananas in marginal or inland Florida zones.