Ornamental Banana Tree Species

Ornamental bananas generally contain too many seeds to be a practical food source.

Bananas are a staple food and utility crop throughout much of the world. Traditional dessert bananas are well-known for their yellow fruit and fairly standard size. Like standard bananas, ornamental bananas feature attractive, tropical-looking foliage. However, a wide variety of ornamental banana species offer vibrantly colored foliage, flowers and fruit. Some of them are short enough to be grown indoors or in a greenhouse.

Musa Ornata

The ornamental banana species Musa ornata can be found in rose, pink and purple. This species grows quickly, reaching a height of 3 to 5 feet and producing up to eight blooms annually. The bright inflorescence remains erect until bloom. Fruit is embedded in attractive green foliage.

Musa African Red

The Musa ornata "African Red" grows quickly and begins producing blooms when it is 3 to 4 feet tall. The inflorescence remains erect, unlike dessert bananas, which have a bending stage.

Musa Coccinea

Musa coccinea has a moderate growth rate, producing five or six blooms annually beginning when it reaches a height of 3 or 4 feet. Blooms on this species are long-lasting and have red bracts encircling yellow flowers.

Chinese Yellow

The Chinese Yellow banana has grayish-green leaves, grows only 3 to 5 feet tall and features yellow bracts and a cone-shaped flower about 12 inches long. The flower is slightly reminiscent of an artichoke or lotus flower.

Pink Velvet

The pink velvet banana is an ornamental banana species that can perform well in partial shade. This 5-foot plant features a pink or reddish flower followed by a small, velvety pink banana.

Bloodleaf

The bloodleaf ornamental banana, also known as Musa acuminata "Zebrina," is especially prized for its foliage. It quickly reaches a height of 8 feet and features leaves that are green with purple-reddish stripes and dark red blotches.

Musa Gracilis

Musa gracilis is a banana species that grows under 7 feet tall and is native to Thailand and Malaysia. It features an upright purple-pink bud and narrow, magenta and green-striped fruits.

References

• Pacific Island Agroforestry; Banana and Plantain...; Randy C. Ploetz, et al; Feb. 2007
• Journal of Food Distribution Research; Why Are There Seeds in My Banana? A Look at Ornamental Bananas; Esendugue Greg Fonsah, et al; March 2008
• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Ornamental Bananas - Not Edible, But Beautiful; Ralph E. Mitchell

Resources

• Texas AgriLife Extension Service; Home Fruit Production -- Banana; Julian W. Sauls
• Louisiana State University Ag Center; Ornamental Banana Trials; Feb. 25, 2010