Wild Banana
Ensete ventricosum
Also known as
African Wild Banana
Full Sun
Moderate care
Light watering
Tender
7a-10b
USDA zone
-18°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
4m | Max | 4m |
2.5m | Min | 2.5m |
20 years to reach maturity
Fruiting
Generally not harvested.
More images of Wild Banana
Wild Banana Overview
One of the showiest plants for the summer garden, if fed & watered regularly this banana grows at the rate of knots during the summer getting to 4m high. It makes a spectacular specimen plant for an exotic-style garden but fruit is rarely produced. It's best grown in a large pot so that it can be moved under glass as it is frost tender and kept shaded from hot sun throughout the year.
Common problems with Wild Banana
Generally disease free but can suffer from Mealy bugs
How to propagate Wild Banana
Seed
Soak a couple of days and then plant ensuring the pot & soil are clean. The seed should be buried lightly. Some may germinate in as little as a week or they may take a lot longer.
Division
Division year-round, by offsets in summer, by seed.
Suckers
Suckers after flowering.
Special features of Wild Banana
Indoor plant
Attracts bees
Wet sites
Other uses of Wild Banana
This plant is grown as for it's architectural structure in tropical greenhouses/conservatories.