Flowering Banana Musa ornata
ABOUT
Musa ornata, commonly known as the flowering banana, is a plant that stands out for its decorative elements. The centerpiece of its appearance is the striking flower, which typically comes in vibrant shades of purple or pink. These flowers grow in clusters on long stalks that extend upward from the main body of the plant. Unlike the familiar yellow bananas from the grocery store, its fruit is small and inedible, often orangish or reddish with a tough texture. The leaves of the flowering banana are elongated and robust with a lush green color that can be quite striking. They are arranged in a spiral pattern that wraps around the stem, creating a spiraling effect that adds to the overall tropical look of the plant. Each leaf is wide and can be quite long, providing a rich backdrop for the more colorful flowers. Over time, the leaves may develop a fringed or ragged edge, which is common to many banana species. As a whole, the flowering banana has a symmetrical and well-structured appearance. Its combination of vibrant blooms, substantial foliage, and tropical demeanor make it a popular choice for ornamental gardens. Despite the inviting look of the flowers, it's worth noting that they do not transform into the sweet, edible fruit familiar in culinary uses. Its inedible fruit and ornamental flowers suggest that the plant is primarily valued for its aesthetic appeal rather than any agricultural or culinary properties.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Musaceae
Synonyms
Flowering Banana, Ornamental Banana
Common names
Musa mexicana, Musa violascens, Musa tiliacea.
ToxicityTo humans
The Musa ornata, commonly known as the flowering banana plant, is not considered toxic to humans. Typically, no adverse effects are reported from touching or ingesting the flowers or foliage of this plant.
To pets
For the Musa ornata or flowering banana, there is no widely recognized toxicity to pets such as dogs and cats. It is generally considered non-toxic, and ingesting parts of this plant is not expected to cause significant symptoms of poisoning in pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
6 feet (1.83 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Musa ornata, commonly known as the flowering banana, is valued for its ornamental qualities, with attractive flowers and foliage enhancing garden aesthetics.
- Tropical Landscape Theme: Ideal for creating or complementing a tropical landscape design, the plant introduces an exotic touch to gardens and indoor spaces.
- Shade Provider: The large leaves of the flowering banana can create a natural, cooling shade in gardens, which is especially beneficial in hot climates.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The plant can serve as a habitat for various species of birds and other wildlife, offering shelter and sometimes food.
- Educational Interest: Musa ornata can be used as a teaching tool to educate about tropical plant species and biodiversity, being an example of the Musaceae family.
- Privacy Screen: When planted in a row or cluster, the flowering banana can function as a natural privacy screen for yards and outdoor living spaces.
Medical Properties- Antidiabetic: Musa ornata may have potential antidiabetic properties, affecting blood glucose levels.
- Antioxidant: The plant has been found to contain compounds with antioxidant properties that could help protect against oxidative stress.
- Antimicrobial: Certain extracts of Musa ornata have shown antimicrobial activity against various pathogens.
- Anti-inflammatory: Musa ornata might possess anti-inflammatory components that could alleviate inflammation in the body.
- Wound healing: Topical application of Musa ornata extracts might aid in the healing of wounds by promoting tissue regeneration.
- Antidiarrheal: The plant may also have antidiarrheal effects, which can help in managing diarrhea symptoms.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Ornamental Display: The Musa ornata, also known as the flowering banana, is primarily grown for its decorative pink to purple flowers, which make it a popular ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens.
- Education and Research: Botanical gardens and universities may use the flowering banana as a subject for educational purposes to teach students about tropical plant biology and horticulture.
- Fiber Production: In some regions, the fibers from the Musa ornata can be harvested and used for making textiles or crafts.
- Religious and Ritual Uses: Certain cultures may incorporate the flowering banana in religious ceremonies or rituals, owing to its aesthetic appeal.
- Culinary Decoration: Although not typically consumed, flowers or leaves of the flowering banana might be used as decorative elements in gourmet cuisine presentations.
- Photography and Art: Due to its striking appearance, the plant is often used as a subject in photography and botanical illustrations.
- Shade Provider: When grown in clusters, the broad leaves of the Musa ornata can create shaded areas in gardens, providing cool spots during hot weather.
- Privacy Screen: Tall specimens can be planted in rows to act as a natural privacy screen or windbreak in tropical landscape designs.
- Livestock Fodder: In some cases, the leaves of the flowering banana may be used as fodder for certain types of livestock, such as goats.
- Eco-friendly Packaging: The large leaves of the Musa ornata might be utilized as a natural, biodegradable wrapping material for food items in sustainable packaging solutions.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Ornamental Banana is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Ornamental Banana is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Abundance: The Musa ornata, commonly known as the flowering banana, often symbolizes abundance due to the plentiful fruit it produces.
- Fertility: The association with fertility stems from the rapid and prolific manner in which banana plants reproduce and spread.
- Prosperity: In many cultures, bananas are seen as a sign of wealth and economic wellbeing, thus the flowering banana can represent prosperity.
- Generosity: The ease with which the plant bears fruit has led to it being associated with generosity and the sharing of blessings.
- Hospitality: In some traditions, bananas are a welcoming food, and so the flowering banana can be a symbol of hospitality and care for others.
WaterThe flowering banana, Musa ornata, prefers consistently moist soil, so it should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry. Typically, this plant will need watering once or twice a week, but this can vary based on climate conditions and the plant's environment. Use room temperature water and aim to provide roughly 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per week, ensuring even moisture throughout the soil without waterlogging.
LightThe flowering banana thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, making an east or west-facing window an ideal spot. Direct afternoon sun can scorch the leaves, so if you only have a south-facing window, provide some shade with a sheer curtain. Optimal growth is observed with about 6 to 8 hours of diffused light per day.
TemperatureThe flowering banana requires warm temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit but should not be exposed to freezing conditions. The ideal growing conditions involve maintaining a steady, warm temperature without extreme fluctuations.
PruningThe flowering banana generally does not require extensive pruning, but periodic removal of dead or damaged leaves is beneficial for aesthetic purposes and plant health. Prune sparingly to shape the plant or to remove any leaves that are yellowing or withering. The best time for pruning is early spring or as needed throughout the growing season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe flowering banana prefers well-draining soil with a mix of peat, sand, and loam in equal parts; it thrives best with a pH range between 5.5 and 7.0.
RepottingFlowering bananas should be repotted every 2-3 years to prevent root-bound conditions and refresh the soil.
Humidity & MistingFlowering bananas require high humidity, typically around 50-60% or higher, to thrive optimally.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow in bright, indirect light with warm temps and high humidity.
Outdoor
Requires full sun to partial shade and protection from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleMusa ornata, commonly known as the ornamental banana, begins its life as a seed, which upon germination produces a small sprout that emerges from the soil. The sprout develops into a seedling with characteristic banana leaves, and as it matures, it forms a pseudostem—a false stem made of tightly packed leaf bases. Once it reaches maturity, Musa ornata produces a floral stalk that bears unique, showy flowers often in shades of pink or purple, which is a distinctive feature of this ornamental species. Following pollination, flowers may develop into small, inedible fruits that contain seeds, although this plant is often propagated vegetatively through underground rhizomes. The parent plant typically dies back after fruiting, but the rhizomes give rise to new shoots, thus continuing the life cycle. Over time, these shoots grow into new individual plants, completing the cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-summer
The most popular method for propagating the Musa ornata, commonly known as the Ornamental Banana, is through division. This process involves separating the suckers, also called pups, from the parent plant. These suckers grow at the base of the plant and contain their own roots. The best time to propagate the Ornamental Banana by division is during the late winter or early spring when the plant is not actively growing. You should select a healthy sucker and carefully detach it from the main plant with a sharp knife, ensuring that you take a good amount of roots with it. Once separated, the sucker can be planted in a pot filled with well-draining soil and kept moist until it establishes its own root system. After planting, it's important to maintain a warm and humid environment, as these are tropical plants that thrive in such conditions.
