Musa acuminata

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Musa acuminata is one of the earliest plants to be domesticated by humans for agriculture. Many of the modern edible dessert bananas are derived from this species.

Musa acuminata is a tropical banana species known for its lush, broad green leaves and fast growth. It forms a tall, upright pseudostem that can reach 10 to 20 feet in height, creating a dramatic presence in the garden. The plant produces large, pendulous flower spikes with overlapping purple-red bracts that reveal rows of creamy-yellow flowers inside. These are followed by elongated, curved fruits bananas that are typically seedless, edible, and vary in size and sweetness depending on the cultivar. Musa acuminata thrives in full sun with rich, well-draining soil and regular watering. It prefers warm, humid conditions and should be protected from strong winds and cold. Ideal for USDA zones 9 11, it can also be grown in containers in cooler climates and overwintered indoors.

Similar plants:

• Calathea musaica (Network Calathea)
• Ensete lasiocarpum, Musella lasiocarpa, Musa lasiocarpa (Chinese Yellow Banana, Golden Lotus Banana)
• Ensete ventricosum, Musa arnoldiana, Musa ensete Maurelii (Red banana, Abyssinian banana, Ethiopian banana)
• Musa coccinea (Scarlet Banana, Red-flowering Banana)
• Musa haekkinenii (Wild Red Banana)
• Musa hybrid ( ABB group ) (Cooking banana, Rulo)
• Musa sp. (Banana, Bananier Nain, Canbur, Curro, Plantain)
• Musa sp.'Truly Tiny' (Dwarf Banana 'Truly Tiny')
• Musa spp. ornamental (Ornamental bananas)
• Musa sumatrana, Musa acuminata ssp. zebrina (Blood Leaf Banana)