Create Your Garden

Musa acuminata (Banana)

Banana, Commercial Banana, Cavendish Banana

Musa acuminata, Banana, Commercial Banana, Cavendish Banana, Tropical Tree, Tropical Shrub
Musa acuminata, Banana, Commercial Banana, Cavendish Banana, Tropical Tree, Tropical Shrub
Musa acuminata, Banana, Commercial Banana, Cavendish Banana, Tropical Tree, Tropical Shrub

Musa acuminata (Banana) is a large, fast-growing, suckering evergreen perennial boasting huge, paddle-shaped leaves, up to 6-10 ft. long (180-300 cm). Erect spikes of cream to yellow flowers adorned with showy bracts appear seasonally on mature plants (2-3 years old). They are followed by edible yellow bananas. The leaf sheathes overlap to form a trunk-like pseudostem. Each pseudostem has a limited lifespan. It only lives as long as it takes it to flower and produce fruit. After flowering and fruiting, the pseudostem dies, but the roots push out new shoots (banana pups) which form new pseudostems. Musa acuminata is one of the common producers of the fruit that we find in the grocery stores. Award-winning ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ grows up to 5-10 ft. (150-300 cm) and can be grown as a summer bedding plant or in a container.

  • Grows up to 12-20 ft. tall (360-600 cm) and 6-10 ft. wide (180-300 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in humus-rich, well-drained soils. Best growth occurs with consistently moist soils that do not dry out. Banana trees do not do well in drought conditions since they need to be watered often for proper growth. Shelter from the wind to prevent the leaves from being damaged. Fertilize plants regularly during the growing season.
  • Great choice for containers or Mediterranean gardens where it will proudly stand out.
  • Disease free. Keep an eye out for glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and aphids.
  • Native to Southeast Asia, Australia, eastern Africa.

Requirements

Hardiness 10 - 11
Climate Zones 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Fruits, Perennials
Plant Family Musaceae
Genus Musa
Common names Banana, Cavendish Banana
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 12' - 20'
(3.7m - 6.1m)
Spread 6' - 10'
(180cm - 3m)
Spacing 72" - 120"
(180cm - 3m)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Garden Uses Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Musa (Banana) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Musa ornata (Flowering Banana)
Musa acuminata ‘Zebrina’ (Stripe-Leaved Banana)
Musa velutina (Pink Banana)
Musa x paradisiaca (Edible Banana)
Musa coccinea (Scarlet Banana)
Musa basjoo (Japanese Banana)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 10 - 11
Climate Zones 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Fruits, Perennials
Plant Family Musaceae
Genus Musa
Common names Banana, Cavendish Banana
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 12' - 20'
(3.7m - 6.1m)
Spread 6' - 10'
(180cm - 3m)
Spacing 72" - 120"
(180cm - 3m)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Garden Uses Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Musa (Banana) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Musa acuminata (Banana) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Musa acuminata (Banana) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone