Family
Musaceae
Botanical Name
MUSA 'Grande Naine'( Cavendish, A A A Group)
Plant Common Name
Banana, Grande Naine Banana
General Description
The ‘Grande Naine’ banana is an upright, fast-growing, tropical herb (not a tree) with large, flat, green leaves. The long, pendent flowers give rise to large bunches of large fruits that range in color from green to yellow. The name of this variety is French and means, literally, "big dwarf." This is the most broadly grown dessert banana because it is a relatively small plant that produces abundantly. A tender perennial, ‘Grande Naine’ forms a close clump of plants, each flowering and fruiting only once before dying. The fruits are more yellow during the cooler, drier season and often more green and shorter during hot, humid months.
Banana plants love warm fertile soils with consistent moisture. Full sun exposures are best and a long growing season is required to set the flowering stalk and fruits. Avoid sandy poor soils for 'Grande Naine,' which does not tolerate periods of drought. This banana can be root-hardy in warmer temperate zones and rejuvenate after spring frosts. The leaves though large are thin and shred easily in high winds, while the fruits do not drop readily. The exotic and tropical look of this banana, even without fruits, makes it a great large-sized specimen plant for the garden.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 7
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Fruit
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
8'-10' / 2.4m - 3.0m
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Width
5'-6' / 1.5m - 1.8m
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Hybrid Origin
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Hummingbirds
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Self-Sowing
No
