Musa basjoo

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Japanese banana

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Other common names

Japanese fiber banana

Synonyms

Musa acuminata 'Basjoo'
Musa japonica

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Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial
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A suckering evergreen perennial to 5m tall, with arching lance-shaped leaves to 3m long, and drooping terminal spikes of cream flowers in summer, sometimes followed by inedible green fruits to 6cm long

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Musaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Suckering
Genus
Musa are suckering evergreen perennials with very large, paddle-shaped leaves whose stalk-bases form a false stem, and clusters of tubular flowers with colourful bracts, followed by cylindrical fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China

How to Grow

Cultivation

For banana cultivation under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun; repot every other year, in spring. In warmer parts of the country for outdoors grow in a sheltered position in humus-rich well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed as soon as ripe at 21-24°C (70-75°F); presoak spring sown seed for 24 hours. Separate suckers in early spring, removing older leaves or divide established clumps every five years

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

See banana cultivation notes (above) for wrapping and overwintering

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and aphids can be troublesome under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free