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Musa spp.

bananas

Musaceae

Tropical and subtropical Asia, northern Australia, and the western Pacific

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Musa spp. is a genus of about 70 species of large herbaceous perennials in the family Musaceae, native to tropical and subtropical Asia, northern Australia, and the western Pacific. Although tree-like in size, plants have no woody trunk; the apparent stem, called a pseudostem, is a tight column of overlapping leaf sheaths rising 2-9 m (6.5-30 ft). The leaves are very large, oblong paddles up to 3 m (10 ft) long, which tear along the veins in wind. Each pseudostem flowers once, producing a pendent or erect inflorescence with rows of flowers protected by large purple bracts, then dies back while suckers from the base continue the clump. The fruit is an elongated berry; cultivated bananas and plantains are largely seedless forms derived mainly from M. acuminata and M. balbisiana. Wild species bear fruit packed with hard seeds. Musa spp. grows quickly in heat and moisture and is killed back by frost, though some species resprout from the rootstock after cold. Plants are grown for fruit, fibre, and bold foliage.

Native Range

Native to tropical and subtropical Asia, from India and southern China through Southeast Asia to northern Australia and the western Pacific. The wild ancestors of cultivated bananas, M. acuminata and M. balbisiana, originate in this region. Musa spp. is not native to North America but is grown in frost-free parts of it.

Suggested Uses

Grown for fruit in tropical and subtropical gardens, and for large, bold foliage as a summer feature in containers and warm borders elsewhere. Hardy species are used to give a tropical look in temperate gardens with winter protection.

How to Identify

Identified by a trunk-like pseudostem of overlapping leaf sheaths topped by very large, oblong leaves that shred along the midrib in wind. Flowering stems carry rows of flowers under large, often purple bracts, followed by hands of elongated berry fruit. The absence of true woody bark and the suckering clump habit separate bananas from palms and true trees.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6'6" - 30'

Width/Spread5' - 12'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

In frost-free climates a pseudostem flowers about 9 to 18 months after it emerges, at any time of year once mature. The inflorescence opens over many weeks as bracts lift to reveal successive rows of flowers. Each pseudostem flowers only once, then dies back.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

cream with purple bracts

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years to fruiting

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Bananas grow in full sun in deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soil with steady warmth and high humidity. They are frost-tender, with foliage damaged at 0 C (32 F), though hardy species such as M. basjoo resprout from the roots after the top is frozen. Heavy feeding and ample water sustain the fast leaf growth. Wind shreds and browns the large leaves, so a sheltered position keeps them intact. In containers and cool climates, plants are moved under cover for winter.

Pruning

Old leaves are removed as they brown, and a pseudostem is cut to the ground after it has fruited or been killed by frost. Suckers are thinned to leave one or two strong shoots per clump for the next cycle. No other pruning is needed.

Pruning Schedule

fall