My daughter got a miniature banana palm as a gift. I need to know what type of dirt I need to use when I transplant it into a bigger pot and what type of fertilizer is needed.

Any regular ol' potting soil will work but a garden soil or top soil is better. Sand will work too. Banana plants will grow in just about anything.

NEVER USE POTTING SOIL. Potting soil is thick, dark, heavy soil that holds on to moisture too long and rots away most things that you plant within it. You never want to start anything out in potting soil. Some things will still grow when planted in potting soil because they may have that much strength established at the time of transplant, but never start anything out that is young or small in that type soil. Potting mix is a better soil, and also mixed with sand or perlite allows for even better drainage.

Eh, what? I've planted bananas - orinoco pups - in containers with - separately - potting soil, top soil, sand, live oak leaves and garden soil and always had the same results - they grew. In the ground the same of those only as well as in limestone in a driveway.

Maybe it's where I live.

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