About
Ensete ventricosum, Ethiopian banana, is a striking, tender, evergreen, short-stemmed perennial to 5 m or more with erect, huge, paddle-shaped leaves to 3 m long with a prominent red midrib beneath. Rarely flowers in cultivation, but when it does, produces white flowers hidden among deep-red bracts at the stem tip, followed by dry, banana-like fruits. Grown for its spectacular, bold, tropical-looking foliage.
About the genus
Ensete are robust, evergreen perennials forming a short stem from which enormous, paddle-shaped leaves emerge, giving a dramatic, banana-like appearance. Unlike true bananas, Ensete are monocarpic � each stem flowers once then dies. Grown for their spectacular foliage in sheltered, frost-free gardens and large heated greenhouses.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Architectural
Native toE Tropical Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrow outdoors in frost-free area in humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade. Grow under glass in temperate greenhouse in peat-free, loam-based compost with shade from hot sun. Keep well ventilated
PruningRemove dead leaves, cutting no lower than the base of each leaf blade
PropagationPropagate by seed. Germination is erratic
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and aphids
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free