by 
After its discovery in the 1830s on the Caribbean island of Martinique, the Gros Michel Banana (also known as ‘Big Mike’) quickly became the world’s de facto banana cultivar.
That was until the 1950s, when the emergence of Panama Disease destroyed many banana plantations growing Gros Michel. However, contrary to popular belief, Gros Michel Bananas are not extinct and are still grown today (albeit on a much smaller scale) by banana enthusiasts.
And if you have disease-free soil and live in a warmer climate, growing Gros Michel can make for a delicious treat!
That said, this grow guide will cover everything you need to know about the Gros Michel Banana:
Table of Contents
- Gros Michel Banana Tree Characteristics & Fruit Production
- Gros Michel Banana Flavor Profile
- Gros Michel Banana Disease Resistance
- Gros Michel Banana Tree For Sale (Where To Find)
- Conclusion
Gros Michel Banana Tree Characteristics & Fruit Production
Gros Michel Bananas are large banana trees that usually average between 15 – 20 feet tall. As a result, Gros Michel would not do well long-term in containers and would NOT be considered a “condo” banana. Additionally, due to the tree’s skinnier pseudostem trunk, Gros Michel is more susceptible to wind blowdown.
However, if you are looking for a smaller banana tree with a similar ‘Gros Michel’ flavor, the Gros Michel ‘Highgate’ is the dwarf version (6 – 10 feet) of the Gros Michel. That said, Highgates are a bit harder to source.
The Gros Michel cultivar belongs exclusively to the species Musa acuminata and features a triploid (AAA) genome structure. Other triploid (AAA) banana cultivars include, but are not limited to:
- Cavendish (Williams, Dwarf Cavendish, Grand Nain)
- Lakatan
- Lady’s Finger
- Dwarf Red
Why does banana chromosomal count even matter? Glad you asked! 😜
In layman’s terms, the sweetness and softness of a banana’s texture increase with a higher concentration of ‘A’ chromosomes inherited from Musa acuminata. Conversely, a greater proportion of ‘B’ chromosomes from Musa balbisiana enhances the banana’s resilience, improving its cold tolerance and resistance to diseases.
So, while Gros Michel Bananas receive high marks in the sweetness and texture departments, the lack of B chromosomes translates to the Gros Michel having poor cold tolerance.
When grown under optimal conditions, Gros Michel’s fruit production consistently ranges from fair to average.
Fun Fact #1: Cavendish can produce twice the yields of Gros Michel, which was also a major factor in growers making the switch to Cavendish.
Finally, FHIA-17 and FHIA-23 are hybrids of Gros Michel that overcome many of its limitations. However, they come with their own challenges, including longer growth cycles and a tendency for the fruit to split.
Gros Michel Banana Flavor Profile
The Gros Michel Banana has a thick peel that makes it incredibly durable and less prone to bruising in the event of the rack of fruit falling and hitting the ground.
When it comes to determining the fruit’s optimal ripeness, it’s important not to judge ripeness by color alone.
I’ve found these bananas surprisingly ripe when the peel was mostly green, with just a hint of yellow and a few brown speckles. Even the tips stay green longer than you’d expect. Instead, the trick is to give them a gentle squeeze—if there’s a bit of softness, they’re ready to eat.
Upon peeling the fruit, one will be greeted with an aroma similar to that of a Cavendish, but a bit more amplified, sort of like that signature banana scent you would find in pudding or banana-scented products. The fruit is fragrant in the best way.
Texture-wise, the Gros Michel strikes a perfect balance between creamy and firm. Even when the peel is fully yellow, the flesh has a bit more firmness than you’d expect. And when the skin is still green, it surprises you by being much softer and more succulent than you’d anticipate—none of that starchy bite you might get with other green bananas.
Compared to the Cavendish, Gros Michel is definitely juicier and just a touch creamier. It’s the kind of texture that makes you want to savor each bite, whether you’re eating it straight or tossing it into a dessert.
From a flavor perspective, Gros Michel is sweet without being overpowering—just the right touch of sweetness, with a slight hint of tartness if you try it when the peel still has a bit of green. That subtle tang disappears completely as it ripens and turns yellow. Gros Michel has a deeper, more pronounced banana flavor compared to the Cavendish.
Fun Fact #2: This stronger banana flavor is due to Gros Michel containing higher levels of isoamyl acetate, the compound responsible for that iconic “banana” flavor used in candy and food products.
Fun Fact #3: There’s a common myth that banana flavoring was based on the Gros Michel, but that’s not entirely true—artificial banana flavor existed before Gros Michel bananas hit the American market. So no, this isn’t going to taste like Laffy Taffy, but it is a richer, more intense banana flavor—like the Cavendish, just taken to the next level.
In terms of how it stacks up to other bananas, in my opinion, Gros Michel is solid but not quite as exciting as some of the more exotic varieties. Bananas like the Goldfinger, Dwarf Brazilian, or Raja Puri bring a slightly more floral, candy-like flavor with lingering sweetness.
The Gros Michel honestly just keeps things simple—it’s flavorful, but without any extra fruity or floral notes. If you’re a fan of cleaner, straightforward banana flavors, this one is for you. However, if you’ve ever tried a Nam Wah Banana, you might find Gros Michel a bit plain by comparison.
The Gros Michel truly shines when eaten fresh out of hand or used in desserts. Its smooth, creamy texture and classic banana flavor make it perfect for puddings, smoothies, and baked goods. No need for anything fancy—just enjoy the simple, old-school banana goodness this variety has to offer.
Gros Michel Banana Disease Resistance
Due to its triploid (AAA) genome structure, the Gros Michel Banana has terrible disease resistance.
More specifically, the Gros Michel Banana is very prone to both Panama Disease and Sigatoka Disease and should, therefore, only be planted in disease-free soils.
Gros Michel Banana Tree For Sale (Where To Find)
Tropical Tree Guide has proudly partnered with Montura Gardens, a family-owned nursery in Clewiston, Florida, to bring you premium, grafted tropical fruit trees—delivered FREE to your doorstep! With Montura Gardens’ exceptional quality and service, we’re making it easier than ever to grow flourishing tropical trees right in your backyard.
For more information, please check out our Tropical Fruit Trees For Sale Page.
Conclusion
If you found this grow guide helpful, please consider sharing. It helps support the website 🙂
If you have any questions regarding anything mentioned in this grow guide, please comment them below! This way, others can also benefit from the answer to the same question. For any other questions or growing tips that you think may be helpful, feel free to use the contact form and drop me a line.
Thank you for reading! 🙂
_
