Musa basjoo

Plant Family

Musaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Musa basjoo

Photo by: JAMES BURGHARDT

Plant Common Name

Hardy Banana

General Description

Hardy banana is an evergreen, tree-like perennial native to Japan. Its immense, arching, paddle shaped leaves with horizontal ribbed veins are striking year round, or in summer and fall in areas subject to freezes. In summer, it bears pendent spikes of flowers in the axils of large brown bracts. The flowers sometimes give rise to bunches of small unpalatable bananas.

Hardy banana prefers sun, ample summer moisture, and well drained, fertile soil. As its leaves are easily tattered by wind, it does best in sheltered areas. Said to be the hardiest banana, it will often regrow from the base if frozen to the ground, provided it is well mulched. It also does well in containers moved indoors for the winter. Use it as a a specimen plant for tropical effect.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  12 - 8

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  7 - 11

• Sunset Zone

  H1, H2, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Perennial

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun

• Height

  10'-15' / 3.0m - 4.6m

• Width

  8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m

• Bloom Time

  Summer

• Native To

  Japan

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic, Neutral

• Soil Moisture

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Loam

• Growth Rate

  Fast

• Water Requirements

  Average Water

• Habit

  Upright/Erect

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Showy

• Flower Color

  Yellow, Brown

• Fruit Color

  Yellow Green

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Winter)

  Green

• Bark Color

  Green, Tan

• Fragrant Flowers

  No

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Flower Petal Number

  Single

• Repeat Bloomer

  Yes

• Showy Fruit

  Yes

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  Yes

• Foliage Texture

  Bold

• Foliage Sheen

  Glossy

• Evergreen

  Yes

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Self-Sowing

  No