Musa acuminata
MEW-suh ah-kew-min-AY-tuh
Common Names: Banana, Blood Banana, Edible Banana, Plantain
Family: Musaceae
Origin: South East Africa
Growth: Upwards, clumping. Old leaves naturally fall off
Light: Full sun
Foot Candles: 250+
Water: Keep evenly moist
Humidity: 35% - 90%
Temperature: 18°C - 32°C
Soil: Well draining potting mix
Container: Self-watering planter
Nutrients: 20-10-10 Monthly
Propagation: Seed, vegetative cutting, division
Interiorscape Use: Large leaves with great colour
Common Pests: Mealybugs, Aphids, Spider Mites, Scale, Thrips.
Common Issues: Cold drafts can cause brown tips. Leaves often droop when they reach a large size.
Comments: Typically grown for foliage but will bloom when mature. Plant will die after flowering. A specimen sized plant can have leaves 6 meters long. Banana trees are not trees at all, but are among the worlds largest herbs.
Toxicity: Safe.