Overview

Musa balbisiana 'Black Thai' is a suckering conservatory greenhouse in the genus Musa, part of the Musaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Musa balbisiana 'Black Thai' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1b. Suggested uses include coastal, architectural and wall side borders.

About

Musa balbisiana 'Black Thai' is a cultivar of the Musa genus, which comprises suckering evergreen perennials with large, paddle-like leaves and false stems formed by the bases of their stalks. This cultivar thrives in full sun and prefers a south-facing, sheltered aspect with fertile, moist but well-drained loam soil of neutral pH. Suitable for conservatories, greenhouses, and bedding, it is hardy to H1b and is ideal for coastal and architectural planting, as well as wall-side borders. It can be propagated by seed, division, or separating suckers, and is of interest during spring and summer.

About the genus

Musa is one of three genera in the family Musaceae. The genus includes 83 fruit species of flowering plants producing edible bananas and plantains, and fiber (abacá), used to make paper and cloth. Though they grow as high as trees, banana and plantain plants are not woody and their apparent "stem" is made up of the bases of the huge leaf stalks.

Wikipedia contributors, "Musa (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Musa (plant)

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Musa

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H1b

Plant details

Musa balbisiana 'Black Thai' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Conservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial, Bedding

Habit

Suckering

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

Coastal, Architectural, Wall side borders

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Musa balbisiana 'Black Thai'

Propagation

Seed, separate suckers, division

Pest resistance

Glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs, aphids

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions