Musa basjoo

Hardy Banana

Musa basjoo is a bold, tropical-looking herbaceous perennial banana grown for its huge, paddle-shaped green leaves and fast summer growth. It forms upright pseudostems rather than woody trunks, creating a lush, architectural clump that can bring a tropical effect to temperate gardens. Creamy-yellow flowers may appear on mature plants in warm climates, followed by small ornamental bananas, but the fruit is generally not edible due to seeds and poor flavor. In colder zones, the tops are usually killed by frost, but well-mulched roots can return in spring. Missouri Botanical Garden lists it as hardy in Zones 5–10 when the roots are well mulched.

Type: Herbaceous perennial / hardy ornamental banana
Mature Size: 6–8 ft. wide × 6–14 ft. tall; taller in mild climates
USDA Zones: 5a–10b with winter mulch; tops hardy only in warmer zones
Form: Upright, clumping, tropical-looking pseudostems with large arching leaves
Light: Full sun to part sun; light afternoon shade helpful in hot climates
Soil / Water: Rich, moist, well-drained soil; medium to high water, best with consistent moisture
Bloom Time / Length: Summer on mature plants; flowers are occasional in colder climates
Wildlife: Flowers may attract bees and other insects; dense foliage provides seasonal cover

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent as a tropical accent, poolside plant, large container plant, courtyard specimen, foundation focal point, or summer screen. It is one of the most cold-hardy bananas commonly grown ornamentally and is especially useful where a bold, tropical look is wanted without treating the plant strictly as an annual. RHS lists its ultimate height around 2.5–4 meters, or roughly 8–13 ft., with a spread around 5–8 ft.

Care:
Plant in rich soil with steady moisture and protection from strong wind, since the large leaves shred easily. Fertilize during active growth for the largest foliage. In colder zones, cut frost-killed stems back after freezing weather and mulch the crown heavily for winter. For extra protection, surround the crown with leaves, straw, or compost and uncover gradually in spring after hard freezes pass.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

6-14'

Width

6-8'

Hardiness zones

5–10

Sunlight

Filtered Sun, Full Sun

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Summer

Flower color

Cream

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Fruit color

Jasmine

Attracts

Bees, Birds

Landscape use

Container

Shape

Clumping, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Drought tolerant

No