Banana plants grow best in hot (ideally 27°C or 98.6°F), humid (above 50%), and wet (ideally 1-1.5 in or 2.5-4cm of water per week) tropical climates with nutrient-rich, well-draining and aerated soil. They are sensitive to drought and do best in USDA zones 9a-10a, though some frost-tolerant varieties like the Basjoo can survive moderate winter frosts.