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Ethiopian Banana in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Ensete ventricosum syn. Musa ensete

 

Ethiopian Banana

Ensete produce large banana-like leaf blades and can grow up to 5m tall by 1m wide, with leaves which have a salmon-pink midrib. The flowers only occur once from the centre of the plant at the end of that plant's life. The fruits are inedible and have hard, black, rounded seeds. After flowering, the plant dies.

Contributed by @kimmy01

 
plant Features
  • Ethiopian Banana likes full sun

    Full sun

  • Ethiopian Banana likes frequent watering

    Frequent watering

  • Ethiopian Banana is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Ethiopian Banana likes rich and free draining

    Rich and free draining

 
plant information

Common name

Ethiopian Banana

Latin name

Ensete ventricosum syn. Musa ensete

type

Tender plant

family

Musaceae

ph

6.0 - 7.5 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Ethiopian Banana likes full sun

    Full sun

  • Frost

    Ethiopian Banana is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Soil

    Ethiopian Banana likes rich and free draining

    Rich and free draining

  • Water

    Ethiopian Banana likes frequent watering

    Frequent watering

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Ethiopian Banana is 1.00meters x 5.00meters 1.00 M 5.00 M

Ensete ventricosum syn. Musa ensete

Ensete produce large banana-like leaf blades and can grow up to 5m tall by 1m wide, with leaves which have a salmon-pink midrib. The flowers only occur once from the centre of the plant at the end of that plant's life. The fruits are inedible and have hard, black, rounded seeds. After flowering, the plant dies.


Planting young plants

From Late Spring TO Late Spring

When planting young plants, choose a sheltered site, out of known frost pockets. Shelter from the wind is also essential to prevent leaves being shredded. Plant in late spring, in a well-drained soil, enriched with well rotted manure or organic compost. Once plants are established, water and feed generously to get the best foliage. Smaller banana species make ideal container plants, which can be placed outdoors for the summer and brought indoors over winter. Plant in a loam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 3 with extra grit and site them in full direct sunlight and keep well watered.

 
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