Goldfinger Banana

The Goldfinger Banana (FHIA-01) is a commercial-grade dessert banana developed by the Honduran Foundation for Agricultural Research (FHIA). It’s a Cavendish alternative bred for flavor, disease resistance, and field resilience — especially against Panama disease and Black Sigatoka. The fruit is sweet with a hint of apple or citrus, and the plant itself is hardy, productive, and adaptable to both farms and home landscapes.

This is one of the best all-around bananas for growers who want beauty, taste, and reliability in one plant.

🌿 Plant Growth

• Reaches 10–12 ft in height — compact and sturdy

• Thick pseudostem with strong wind resistance

• Well-suited to in-ground and large container growing

• Begins fruiting within 12–20 months depending on care

• Requires full sun and rich, well-drained soil for best production

🍌 Fruit Description

• Medium-sized bananas with yellow peel and firm flesh

• Flavor is mildly sweet with light acidity — often compared to Cavendish but more complex

• Can be eaten green (cooked) or ripe (fresh)

• Very uniform fruit — great for resale or market packaging

• Bunches yield 40–60 lbs of fruit in ideal conditions

❄️ Cold Tolerance

• USDA Zones 9a–11

• More cold-tolerant than standard Cavendish

• Survives brief lows into mid-30s°F, may regrow after frost

📅 Harvest Season

• Fruits in 12–20 months after planting

• Ripens 4–5 months after flowering

• Reliable cropping in Florida, Texas, and Southern California

💼 Ideal For

• Commercial banana growers, rare fruit nurseries, and CSA farms

• Growers needing Panama disease-resistant varieties

• Landscapers and homeowners looking for reliable, edible ornamentals

• Farms replacing vulnerable Cavendish-type trees

🔒 Zill High Performance Notes

Goldfinger is a disease-resistant cultivar developed for performance in tropical and subtropical climates. Our starts are grown from strong, field-hardened pups — never tissue cultured — and selected for quick establishment, uniform growth, and high yield. A top pick for both production and backyard bounty.