Musa ensete (Ethiopian Banana)


Botanical Information

FamilyMusaceae
GenusMusa
Speciesensete
CategoryPerennials, Tropicals
OriginNative to Ethiopia and eastern Africa.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cool season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH2
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)1 - 5
Temperature (°F)34 - 40
Height3.6 - 6 m
Spread1.8 - 3 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodJune, July, August

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionLarge, fast-growing, suckering, evergreen plant that produces bananas.
LandscapeWhether grown outdoors in the landscape or indoors as a houseplant, bananas need lots of space. Effective when grown as a garden centre-piece or for tropical flair near water.
PropagationBy division of offsets (pups).
CultivationBest grown in full sun with organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil. Needs consistently moist soils that do not dry out. Fertilize regularly during growing season. Site plants in areas protected from strong winds which can severely damage the large leaves.
PestsAphids, spider mites, mealybugs, scale, anthracnose, wilt and mosaic virus.
Notable SpecimensWakehurst Place, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, England.
HabitatPrefers tropical environments.

Photographs