Gros Michael Banana

🍌 Gros Michel Banana – “Big Mike”

Before the Cavendish took over the global banana trade, there was Gros Michel — the original “banana flavor” variety that dominated exports until the mid-1900s. Known for its thicker peel, creamier texture, and bold, sweet flavor, Gros Michel (French for “Big Mike”) is still revered by banana collectors, chefs, and small-scale growers for its superior taste and market appeal.

While no longer grown commercially on a massive scale due to its vulnerability to Panama disease, it thrives in clean soil and smaller orchards — especially in South Florida and tropical regions.

🌿 Plant Growth

• Grows to 12–16 ft with a tall, elegant structure

• Strong pseudostem and large leaves — benefits from wind protection

• Thrives in warm, moist, well-drained environments

• Begins fruiting in 12–18 months with proper care

• Best for in-ground planting or massive containers in protected zones

🍌 Fruit Description

• Full-sized, slightly curved bananas with thick peels

• More durable and less bruising than Cavendish

• Flavor: rich, sweet, with a hint of vanilla — the “real banana flavor” behind banana candies and milkshakes

• Creamy texture with no chalkiness

• Yields 40–70 lbs per bunch under ideal conditions

❄️ Cold Tolerance

• USDA Zones 9b–11

• Sensitive to cold — needs frost protection

• Recovers well from root zone if top growth is damaged

📅 Harvest Season

• Fruit matures 12–18 months after planting

• Takes 4–6 months to ripen after flowering

• Best performance in summer and early fall cycles

💼 Ideal For

• Heirloom fruit collectors and banana preservationists

• Niche farm operations, gourmet chefs, smoothie shops

• Farmers looking to offer authentic pre-Cavendish banana flavor

• Historical, educational, and agritourism farms

🔒 Zill High Performance Notes

Our Gros Michel plants are grown from clean, virus-free pups and selected for vigor, stem strength, and yield. These are legacy bananas — prized by collectors, tropical farmers, and anyone who’s never forgotten what a “real banana” is supposed to taste like.