Pink banana Musa velutina
ABOUT
The Pink Banana is a small ornamental banana plant that typically reaches a height of 4 to 6 feet. Its slim, upright trunk may appear as if it is not there at all, due to the large, elongated paddle-shaped leaves that encircle it, giving the plant a lush, tropical appearance. The leaves themselves are bright green and can grow up to 2 feet long, contributing to the plant's striking visual appeal. A striking feature of the Pink Banana is its bright pink to purple flowers, which emerge in a drooping cluster, somewhat resembling a chandelier. Following the flowering stage, the Pink Banana produces small, decorative bananas that are bright pink to purple when ripe. While these fruits are edible, they are filled with large, hard seeds, which makes them less desirable for eating compared to the common bananas found in grocery stores. The contrast between the pink to purple bananas and the green foliage makes the Pink Banana particularly visually appealing in ornamental gardens or as a container plant.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Musaceae
Synonyms
Pink Banana, Hairy Banana, Velvet Pink Banana
Common names
Musa dasycarpa, Musa velutina subsp. markkuana.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
10
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Musa velutina, commonly known as the Pink Banana, is prized for its distinctive pink to purple flowers that add a tropical aesthetic to gardens and landscapes.
- Compact Growth: It is a relatively small banana species, making it suitable for smaller gardens or as a potted indoor plant where space is limited.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers of the Pink Banana are a source of nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity.
- Edible Fruit: Although the fruits are small and seeded, they are edible and can be used as a novelty, especially in culinary presentation or as a conversation piece.
- Shade Tolerance: Musa velutina is capable of growing in partial shade, providing flexibility in garden design and plant placement.
- Tropical Accent: The plant's lush green leaves offer a tropical ambience and can be used to create a theme in garden design or interiors.
- Fast Growth: Like many bananas, Musa velutina grows quickly, allowing for rapid establishment and gratification in a garden setting.
- Propagation: The Pink Banana can produce pups or suckers, offering an easy and cost-effective way of propagation to expand one's garden or share with others.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care beyond regular watering and feeding, making it suitable for novice gardeners.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Musa velutina, commonly known as the Pink Banana, can be used as a natural dye source; the vibrant pink and red hues of its fruit can impart color to fabrics and other materials.
- The large, broad leaves of the Pink Banana can be utilized in traditional roof thatching in tropical areas, providing a renewable and eco-friendly roofing material.
- Dried and pressed leaves of the Pink Banana can be crafted into decorative paper or cards, taking advantage of their fibrous texture and attractive green coloration.
- The sturdy pseudostems of the Pink Banana, which remain after the plant has fruited, can be processed into fibers for making ropes or coarse textiles due to their high tensile strength.
- Flower buds of the Pink Banana can be used in ornamental arrangements, as they provide an exotic and colorful accent in floral decorations.
- The plant's quick growth and dense matting characteristics make it suitable for use as a privacy screen or living fence in garden design.
- The peeled stalk of the Pink Banana plant can be carved and cured to create biodegradable utensils or art pieces, representing sustainable crafting options.
- Pink Banana plants can serve as educational tools in botanical gardens and schools for teaching about the diverse life-cycles and morphology of tropical flora.
- The fibers from the Pink Banana pseudostems may also be used in creating handcrafted baskets, allowing traditional weaving practices to incorporate new materials.
- Pink Banana fruit, while not commonly consumed due to its seeds, can be used as a natural feed for wildlife in botanical gardens, attracting birds and providing ecosystem enrichment.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Pink Banana is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Pink Banana is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Fertility: Musa velutina, commonly known as the Pink Banana, often symbolizes fertility due to its prolific fruit production and rapid growth.
- Abundance: The Pink Banana's ability to produce a bounty of fruit is frequently seen as a representation of abundance and generosity.
- Wellness: Given that bananas are a nutritious fruit, the Pink Banana plant can embody wellness and good health.
- Vibrancy: With its vibrant pink flowers and fruit, the Pink Banana conveys a sense of vibrancy and the splendor of life.
- Adaptability: As this plant can grow in a variety of conditions, it is often associated with adaptability and resilience.
WaterThe Pink Banana requires regular watering to maintain moist soil, especially during its active growing season in spring and summer. It's best to water it once every 5-7 days, depending on the temperature and humidity levels. When watering, thoroughly saturate the soil until water drains from the bottom of the pot, indicating that the root zone is moistened. In terms of quantity, the Pink Banana typically needs around 64 onzes of water each time during the peak growing season. In the fall and winter, reduce the frequency to prevent waterlogging as growth slows down.
LightThe Pink Banana thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. It is best placed in a spot where it receives filtered light such as near east or south-facing windows. Direct sunlight can damage its leaves, so if placed in a very sunny spot, use a sheer curtain to diffuse the light.
TemperatureThe Pink Banana prefers warm temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and can tolerate minimum temperatures down to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It should not be exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit as it is frost-sensitive. The ideal climate for the Pink Banana is consistently warm with good air circulation.
PruningThe Pink Banana benefits from occasional pruning to remove dead or damaged leaves and to encourage new growth. The best time to prune is in the spring before the new growth starts. It doesn't require frequent pruning; once per year should suffice.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Pink Banana requires a rich, well-draining soil mix with a pH of around 5.5 to 6.5. A mixture of loam, peat, and perlite or sand in equal parts is ideal to ensure proper drainage and aeration.
RepottingPink Banana plants should be repotted every 2-3 years or when they become root-bound. It is best to repot during the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing.
Humidity & MistingPink Banana thrives in high humidity conditions, with ideal levels being between 50% to 60%. Regular misting can help maintain these levels indoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Pink Banana in bright, indirect light and high humidity inside.
Outdoor
Grow Pink Banana in partial shade, protect from cold, ensure high humidity.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleThe life of the Pink Banana (Musa velutina) begins with seed germination, where warmth and moisture trigger the development of a tiny seedling. This seedling then grows into a juvenile plant, developing large, paddle-shaped leaves characteristic of the Musa genus. As the plant matures, it develops a pseudostem, which is a trunk-like structure formed by tightly wrapped leaf bases. Flowering occurs upon maturity, yielding a striking pink to purple inflorescence, which upon successful pollination, produces small, velvety pink bananas filled with seeds. These bananas do not require ripening to disperse their seeds, as the fruit spontaneously splits open to release them. The plant may die after fruiting if it is monocarpic, but often, new suckers (shoots) arise at the base of the plant, perpetuating the cycle through asexual reproduction.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method for propagating the Pink Banana (Musa velutina) is by division. This typically occurs during the plant's active growth period in the spring or early summer. To propagate by division, carefully remove the Pink Banana from its pot or garden space. You'll notice that it forms clumps with multiple pseudostems. These are essentially the "suckers" or "pups" that arise from the base of the plant's main stem. Gently separate one of these suckers from the mother plant, ensuring it has some roots attached. Plant the sucker in a pot with well-draining soil, watering it just enough to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Over time, this sucker will develop into a new, independent Pink Banana plant.