Bananas

Banana plants are grown for their large paddle-shaped leaves, which can grow to 2m (6⅔ft) long or more. The whole plant can reach 3m (10ft) or taller in favourable conditions, depending on the cultivar.

These vigorous plants need rich, consistently moist soil. They thrive in a warm, sheltered, sunny spot. Keep them frost-free in winter.

Most bananas won’t survive frost, so must be brought indoors over winter in the UK. A few are hardy enough to stay outdoors in sheltered gardens, such as Musa basjoo, but even theese should be wrapped to protect them from harsh frosts. They dislike shade, and dry or overly wet soil.

Although banana plants rarely flower or fruit outdoors in the UK, they still make eye-catching foliage plants with their dramatically large, tropical leaves.