Musa acuminata Zebrina (Stripe-Leaved Banana)

Among the most ornamental bananas, Musa acuminata 'Zebrina' (Stripe-Leaved Banana) is a dwarf, suckering evergreen perennial boasting red-splashed, paddle-shaped leaves, 6-10 ft. long (180-300 cm). Erect spikes of cream to yellow flowers adorned with showy red-purple bracts appear seasonally on mature plants (2-3 years old). They are followed by small, inedible, dark maroon bananas. The leaf sheathes overlap to form a trunk-like, reddish pseudostem. Each pseudostem has a limited lifespan. It only lives as long as it takes it to flower and produce fruit. After flowering and fruiting, the pseudostem dies, but the roots push out new shoots (banana pups) which form new pseudostems.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 5-6 ft. tall and wide (150-180 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in humus-rich, well-drained soils. Best growth occurs with consistently moist soils that do not dry out. Banana trees do not do well in drought conditions since they need to be watered often for proper growth. Shelter from the wind to prevent the leaves from being damaged. Fertilize plants regularly during the growing season.
• Great choice for containers or Mediterranean gardens where it will proudly stand out.
• Disease free. Keep an eye out for glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and aphids.