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Herbaceous PerennialTrees

Musa × paradisiaca

common banana

A tree-like herbaceous perennial, potentially reaching 7m, with huge, oblong, evergreen leaves, the bases of which are wrapped together to create a trunk-like pseudostem. in the right conditions, and at any time of year, mature plants may produce a large, hanging flower cluster, the pale yellow flowers surrounded by large, dark red or yellow-green bracts, and followed by green then yellow, edible fruit. Many cultivars of banana and plantain have been developed from this hybrid

Other common names

common banana
edible banana
see moreFrench plantain
hybrid plantains
plantain tree
Adam's apple
plantain

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1B

Botanical details

Family: Musaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright, Suckering
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
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

As a summer bedding plant, grow in humus-rich soil in a sheltered position in full sun. In a container, use peat-free, loam-based compost and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. At the end of the season, pot up to overwinter under cover or protect in situ with straw and chicken wire. Keep just moist in winter. See banana cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Separate suckers in early spring, removing older leaves. Divide established clumps every five years

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse
Bedding

Pruning

No pruning required under glass. Outside, remove old leaves at end of season

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and aphids, especially under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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