There are different types of dwarf bananas, all of which are very decorative, both in the winter garden all year round and in the summer garden. Their extraordinary flowers make them an attractive eye-catcher. However, edible fruits are not to be expected from every species.
The dwarf banana Musella lasiocarpa almost never bears fruit here
The Chinese dwarf banana Musella lasiocarpa
Musella lasiocarpa, which originated in the Chinese province of Yunnan, was long thought to be extinct. Now it is a popular container plant that prefers to spend the summer in the garden. The Chinese dwarf banana grows to a height of around 1.5 meters and produces small, round fruits in its homeland, which are only used as animal feed.
In a bright, warm location, the Chinese dwarf banana will delight you with its distinctive flowers for many months, but you should hardly expect fruit. In summer, the plant needs a lot of water and should be watered regularly. In winter, it prefers a bright quarter with temperatures of about 0 °C to 5 °C.
The Chinese dwarf banana in brief:
- was long thought to be extinct
- up to 1.5 m high
- high water demand in summer
- inedible small rounded fruits
- used as animal feed in Yunnan (China).
- rarely produces fruit in this country
- bright warm location
- Hibernation at about 0 °C to 5 °C
The Kenya banana Musa velutina
The Kenyan banana is also a very attractive container plant. Based on its fruit, it is often traded as a pink dwarf banana. The somewhat maintenance-intensive and not hardy plant grows to a height of about 2 meters. With its reddish leaves and elegant pink flowers, it looks very exotic and is an eye-catcher in every conservatory.
The development of the edible pink mini bananas takes a few months, but they are very tasty. You should definitely water the Kenyan banana regularly. A well-protected, bright location without wind or drafts is just as important. Overwinter the plant at temperatures around 10 °C.
The Kenya banana in brief:
- pink flowers
- edible pink bananas
- up to 2 m high
- a bit high maintenance
- be sure to water regularly
- not hardy
- bright, wind and draught-protected location
- Hibernation at a minimum of 8 °C
tips
If you value edible fruit, then it is better to opt for the Kenyan or pink dwarf banana, even if they are not very easy to care for.