Musa lasiocarpa

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese yellow banana

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Chinese yellow banana RHS

Synonyms

Musella lasiocarpa
Ensete lasiocarpum

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A low-growing, dwarf, suckering banana (but doesn't produce fruit). It has a conical trunk and large bright green leaves. Globular, waxy yellow flowers can last many months. It will grow outdoors if kept in frost-free locations.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk 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)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Musaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright, 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

If planting outdoors, plant in a frost-free area in rich, most, but well-drained soil, in sun or part-shade. Although it will survive outdoors in mildest parts with protection.

Propagation

Propagate by division or seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove dead foliage and cut-back if preferred in autumn

Pests

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free