Plants in family musaceae
Musa 'Bronana'
Musa 'Bronana' is a variegated banana tree cultivar with striking green and white striped leaves. As it matures, the stem develops pink edges, adding to its ornamental appeal.
Musa 'Golden Lotus'
Musa 'Golden Lotus' is an ornamental plant native to the high elevations of Yunnan, China, featuring golden yellow blooms resembling a large lotus flower. It has silvery-grey/green leaves and thrives in full sun to partial shade in USDA zones 7-10.
Musa 'Bordelon'
Musa 'Bordelon' is an ornamental banana plant with large foliage marked by maroon splotches. It is cold hardy in USDA zones 8-11 and can grow 12-15 feet tall. This plant prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, requiring ample water and benefiting from mulching. It is relatively pest-free and can be grown in containers in colder areas, producing inedible, seeded fruits if the growing point is protected in winter.
Musa 'Siam Ruby'
Musa 'Siam Ruby' is a banana plant originating from Papua New Guinea, notable for its dark ruby red leaves with green flecks. It thrives in intense heat and humidity, reaching up to 8 feet in height.
Musa basjoo
Musa basjoo, also known as the Japanese banana or hardy banana, is a subtropical plant from southern China. It grows 16-20 feet tall with thick green stems and 6-foot long narrow green leaves. This banana species is the world's hardiest, withstanding temperatures down to -20°F with mulching. It produces small, inedible yellow bananas and prefers full sun to partial shade.
Musa 'Dwarf Cavendish'
This plant produces edible bananas and thrives in bright full sunlight, requiring 6-8 hours of sun. It prefers well-draining soil with organic matter and can reach 8-10 feet tall, tolerating temperatures as low as 50-60°F.
Musa velutina
Musa velutina, or pink velvet banana, is an ornamental plant known for its clusters of pink, velvety bananas that peel themselves when ripe. This plant rarely exceeds 8 feet tall and is winter-hardy in zone 7b with protection. It is native to Assam and the eastern Himalayas and is grown for its unique appearance.
Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish'
Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish' is a compact banana plant that produces a heavy crop of full-sized fruit. It grows between 5 to 9 feet tall and requires bright direct sunlight, rich soil, and plenty of water. This plant is non-toxic to pets and thrives in USDA zones 9-11, making it a great choice for warm climates.
Musa balbisiana var. balbisiana
Musa balbisiana var. balbisiana is a winter-hardy banana species, known as a parent of most commercial bananas. It is the fastest and largest growing banana in cultivation, making it a significant plant in the banana industry. This species is appreciated for its resilience and rapid growth.
Musa itinerans var. itinerans 'Mekong Giant'
Musa itinerans var. itinerans 'Mekong Giant' is a cold-hardy banana plant originating from Yunnan, China. Known for its impressive size, it can reach up to 40 feet in warmer climates. The plant features a striking reddish-purple trunk and spreads through long rhizomes. It is winter hardy in Zone 6, making it suitable for a range of climates. This giant banana is an excellent choice for creating a tropical atmosphere in gardens.
Musa itinerans 'Burmese Blue'
Musa itinerans 'Burmese Blue' is a hardy banana plant with 18-foot tall trunks and the ability to spread via long stolons. It produces purple bananas when mature and is known for its good winter hardiness.
Musa 'Truly Tiny'
Musa 'Truly Tiny' is a dwarf banana plant growing up to 3 feet tall, ideal for containers. It features leaves with red blotches and produces small fruit clusters. This compact plant is suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings, thriving in full to part sun and rich, well-draining soil.
Musa acuminata 'Grande Naine'
Musa acuminata 'Grande Naine' is a banana plant known for its short stature and enormous bright green leaves. It produces tasty fruit under the right humidity and temperature conditions, with mature trees yielding about 50 pounds of fruit. This fast-growing plant thrives in full sun to part shade and requires consistently moist, fertile soil with good drainage.
Musa 'Goldfinger'
Musa 'Goldfinger' is a robust banana plant known for its sweet fruit with a hint of apple flavor. It is pest and disease resistant, wind-resistant, and can withstand temperatures as low as 27°F. This plant is drought-tolerant for short periods and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Its self-ripening bananas make it a convenient choice for home growers.
Musa 'Dwarf Namwah'
Musa 'Dwarf Namwah' is an ornamental tropical evergreen that produces regular-sized fruit with a creamy sweet flavor. With bright green foliage and pinkish stems, it is heat tolerant and fast-growing, thriving in full sun to part shade.
Musa 'Helen's Hybrid'
Musa 'Helen's Hybrid' is a banana plant discovered at 5,000 feet elevation in the eastern Himalayan region of Darjeeling, India. It is a hybrid of Musa sikkimensis and Musa 'Chini-Champa', maturing at 15 feet in height with green trunks dusted white toward the tops. The plant features green leaves with occasional red midribs and bright red leaf backs on new foliage. It produces sweet but seedy fruit and has survived single-digit winters without protection.
Musa 'Ae Ae'
Musa 'Ae Ae' is a highly variegated banana plant with green-and-white sectored leaves, reaching up to 15 feet tall. It produces edible variegated bananas when mature, though it is not the hardiest of banana varieties. This plant is a striking addition to tropical-themed gardens.
Musa 'Double Mahoi'
Musa 'Double Mahoi' is a unique banana plant known for its double fruiting stalks, producing sweet and creamy bananas. It features large blue-green leaves and is resistant to wind and disease. This plant thrives in full sun with well-drained, enriched soil and requires consistent moisture and regular fertilization. It is suitable for growing in large pots or planters.
Musella lasiocarpa
Musella lasiocarpa, also known as the Chinese dwarf banana or golden lotus banana, is an ornamental plant with stiff, leathery grey-green foliage. It can grow up to 6 feet tall and is renowned for its large, yellow flowers that resemble giant golden artichokes. Native to China, it thrives in USDA zone 7b and is noted for its winter hardiness. This plant is ideal for creating a tropical look in gardens and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Musa 'Orinoco'
Musa 'Orinoco' is a cold-hardy banana plant commonly grown for its fruit along the US Gulf Coast. It can reach heights of 10 to 21 feet and is known for its ability to withstand temperatures down to 20°F.
Musa sikkimensis
Musa sikkimensis, or Darjeeling banana, is a high-altitude species from the Himalayas. It grows up to 14 feet tall with yellowish-green foliage and reddish tinged pseudostems. This ornamental banana produces edible fruits with limited taste.
Musa sikkimensis 'Bengal Tiger'
Musa sikkimensis 'Bengal Tiger' is a striking banana plant that can reach up to 14 feet in height. Its dark green leaves are adorned with red splotches, and new leaves emerge with a solid red underside, creating a dramatic visual effect. Although it produces fruit, it is not palatable. This plant is ideal for adding a tropical flair to gardens and is known for its ornamental value rather than its fruit production.
Musa ornata 'Purple Flower Form'
Musa ornata 'Purple Flower Form' is a dwarf banana species from India, growing 5-8 feet tall. It features upright flower spikes with lilac-purple buds revealing golden yellow flowers. This plant is reliable in Zone 8 and possibly further north, adding a tropical touch to gardens.
Ensete glaucum
Ensete glaucum, also known as the snow banana, is a large ornamental plant native to the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. It features a thick, waxy pseudostem with a bluish tinge and can grow up to 10 feet tall. The plant's giant bluish-green leaves and swollen bulbous base add to its dramatic appearance. While its bananas' edibility is uncertain, the plant is used in various cultural practices and as animal feed.
Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'
Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' is a tropical plant with striking reddish leaves and a robust red midrib. It prefers frost-free climates and is best overwintered indoors or in a greenhouse. This plant thrives in moderately dry conditions with low humidity and requires at least 50°F to maintain its vibrant foliage.
Musa yunnanensis
Musa yunnanensis, also known as the Yunnan banana, is a hardy banana species native to southern China. It can grow up to 20 feet tall, with leaves that emerge red underneath and a trunk coated in a glaucous white wax. This plant is shade and frost tolerant, having survived temperatures as low as 9 degrees Fahrenheit without protection. Its fruits are consumed by local wildlife, and it is sensitive to direct sunlight.
Musa 'Rajapuri'
Musa 'Rajapuri' is a cold-hardy banana plant known for producing edible bananas. It grows up to 8 feet tall with giant tropical green leaves and requires winter protection in USDA zone 7. This plant flowers in about 9 months and is ideal for adding a tropical feel to gardens. Musa 'Rajapuri' is a popular choice for those looking to grow bananas in cooler climates.
Musa 'Picasso'
Musa 'Picasso' is a hybrid banana plant known for its striking green leaves with dark purple streaks and cinnamon-red undersides. This is one of the shortest hardy bananas, reaching up to 12 feet tall, and is expected to withstand winter temperatures down to about 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Its unique foliage and compact size make it an attractive choice for tropical-themed gardens or as a container plant. The plant's hardiness and ornamental appeal make it a favorite among banana enthusiasts.
Musa 'Nono'
Musa 'Nono' is a pink variegated banana plant known for its edible fruit and ease of growth compared to other variegated varieties. As a lowland tropical plant, it thrives in warm, humid environments, making it a unique and practical addition to tropical gardens.