Overview
Musa 'Saba' ambig. (F) is a suckering conservatory greenhouse in the genus Musa, part of the Musaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Musa 'Saba' ambig. (F) 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 'Saba' is a cultivar of the genus Musa, 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 on south-facing, sheltered aspects with fertile, moist but well-drained loam soil of neutral pH. Suitable for conservatories, greenhouses, and bedding, it is hardy to H1b and is often used in coastal, architectural, and wall-side borders. Musa 'Saba' is propagated by seed, division, or separating suckers and is particularly notable in 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 'Saba' ambig. (F) 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 'Saba' ambig. (F)
- Propagation
- Seed, separate suckers, division
- Pest resistance
- Glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs, aphids
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Musa 'Saba' ambig. (F)?
Musa 'Saba' ambig. (F) prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Musa 'Saba' ambig. (F) need?
Musa 'Saba' ambig. (F) grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Musa 'Saba' ambig. (F) hardy in the UK?
Musa 'Saba' ambig. (F) has an RHS hardiness rating of H1b, meaning it needs subtropical warmth of 10–15°C and must be grown under glass in the UK.
How do I propagate Musa 'Saba' ambig. (F)?
Seed, separate suckers, division.