Species flowering banana
Musa ornata; purple, large flower with green, large, shiny leaves, and long, green stems

flowering banana

Musa ornata

Flowering banana (Musa ornata) is a perennial herbaceous plant. Its large leaves form an attractive canopy that provides shade from the hot sun. It produces clusters of yellow and orange flowers at the same time as edible fruit. The leaves and flowers are used as decorative materials in landscaping. The bark from the stem is also processed to make paper and rope. The fruit of the flowering banana can be cooked and eaten raw, or the banana-flavored parts can be made into juice or wine. The plant is easy to care for and can grow in most tropical climates. With its bright colors and edible treats, the flowering banana adds charm to any garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Air Layering Propagation,Division,Offsets,Tissue Culture,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

9 - 11

Flowers:

Orange-yellow with purple-pink bracts Flowers

Sun:

full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Tropical:

Yes

watering

Flowering banana (Musa ornata) should be watered about 2-3 times a week during the active growing season. During the winter months, water should be reduced to once a month. Be sure to water deeply to reach the entire root system. Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot and other issues.

sunlight

Flowering banana plants (Musa ornata) need a lot of direct sunlight throughout the day to thrive. They require at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day, ideally in the form of full sun, although some partial shade is acceptable. During the warm spring and summer months, when the sun is high in the sky, the plant should receive full coverage. Exposure to light from different directions on different days will help the plant be more balanced and productive.

pruning

For flowering banana (Musa ornata), pruning should be done at least once a year in early spring before new growth begins, and should be done very lightly. Pruning should not remove more than 20-30 percent of the leaves and should not remove any flower stalks as these will generate new fruit. Pruning should be done with sharp, clean tools to avoid damaging the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Musa ornata typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Starts Flowering

Musa ornata typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Hardiness Map