Question: How can I protect my banana tree over the winter?

Answer: Bananas will survive most Texas winters with the exception of the colder areas along the Red River and in the Panhandle. Allow the first hard freeze to kill the tops back to the ground, then trim to remove the dried stubble a few days later. You'll gain several degrees' worth of protection if you pile mulched tree leaves over their crowns. If you are growing a dwarf banana in a patio pot you will need to protect it from sub-freezing weather. You give up about 20 degrees of winter hardiness in containers, and bananas don't have that luxury.