Musa acuminata (Banana)

Musa acuminata (Banana) is a large, fast-growing, suckering evergreen perennial boasting huge, paddle-shaped leaves, up to 6-10 ft. long (180-300 cm). Erect spikes of cream to yellow flowers adorned with showy bracts appear seasonally on mature plants (2-3 years old). They are followed by edible yellow bananas. The leaf sheathes overlap to form a trunk-like 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. Musa acuminata is one of the common producers of the fruit that we find in the grocery stores. Award-winning 'Dwarf Cavendish' grows up to 5-10 ft. (150-300 cm) and can be grown as a summer bedding plant or in a container.

• Grows up to 12-20 ft. tall (360-600 cm) and 6-10 ft. wide (180-300 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.
• Native to Southeast Asia, Australia, eastern Africa.