Musa sikkimensis 'Red Tiger'

RHS Plant Profile
Darjeeling banana 'Red Tiger'
Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial Bedding

An upright, suckering perennial to 4m tall with large, glossy leaves with a maroon-red midrib, dark purple-red striping across the leaves on the upper surface and purple shading beneath. Mature plants may bear long-lasting, yellow-brown flowers enclosed in purple bracts from summer into autumn followed by yellowish fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
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
Unresolved

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

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

Pruning

Remove damaged or dead leaves

Pests

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free