Musa sikkimensis

RHS Plant Profile

Darjeeling banana

RHS

Synonyms

Musa sikkimensis 'Hookeri'
Musa hookeri

Bedding Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial

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A suckering perennial with large, oblong leaves to 2m long emerging from a red-tinged pseudostem. Young leaves are flushed reddish purple beneath and have red midribs. Mature plants may bear yellow flowers enclosed in purple bracts in summer; these can be followed by angular, yellowish fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, 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

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–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): H3

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: N.E. India, Bhutan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light, with shade from hot sun. Water freely while in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every month; keep just moist in winter. Repot every 1 or 2 years in spring. Outdoors grow in sheltered site in humus-rich soil and either bring pots indoors, or provide winter protection in the form of biodegradable horticultural fleece and hessian wraps. See banana cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by sowing pre-soaked seed in spring. Separate suckers in early spring, removing older leaves

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Architectural
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse
Wall side borders

Pruning

Remove damaged or dead leaves

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free