About
A tender, upright perennial to 2.5m tall, with huge, paddle-shaped, burgundy-splashed leaves. In summer cream or yellow flowers may be produced from purple bracts; these are followed, in ideal conditions, by small banana fruits.
About the genus
Musa are suckering evergreen perennials with very large, paddle-shaped leaves whose stalk-bases form a false stem, and clusters of tubular flowers with colourful bracts, followed by cylindrical fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeBedding, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light, with shade from hot sun. Water freely while in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every month; keep just moist in winter. Repot every 1 or 2 years in spring. See banana cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by sowing pre-soaked seed in spring. Separate suckers in early spring, removing older leaves
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and aphids
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free