The Red Abyssinian Banana Plant – A Comprehensive Guide

The Red Abyssinian Banana Plant is a large, striking and exotic ornamental plant that has recently become quite fashionable among gardeners and plant enthusiasts. Also known as Maurelii or the Red African Banana plant, this beautiful foliage plant is instantly recognisable and is a behemoth in the garden or interior space. Technically speaking, this Red Abyssinian Banana Plant is not at all related to an actual banana plant, it just belongs to the same family (Musaceae). In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know about an Red Abyssinian Banana Plant – from its origins and characteristics to planting, care and common issues.

 

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Origins and Characteristics of the Red Abyssinian Banana Plant

This plant is native to the highlands of Africa in Ethiopia, where it grows year-round in the warm, tropical climate from sea level all the way up to an elevation of 8,000 ft (2½ km). In its natural habitat, it can reach 15 ft or more (4½ – 6 m) in height and assumes a somewhat dominant role in the landscape, where it can grow on hillsides and in deeper cover. This makes it perfect for growing in gardens in climates similar to its native habitat.

Appearance

Photo by Yvette McNaghtenOne of the most notable features of the Red Abyssinian Banana Plant are its large paddle-like leaves. The leaves are up to 10 feet (3 metres) long, and darkest emerald green with burgundy to bright red veins and stems. The striking colour of the veins and stems is what differentiates the Red Abyssinian Banana Plant from other members of the banana clan.

For all its apparent massive stature, its trunk, or pseudostem, is generally only 3 to 4 feet (1 to 1.2 metres) high and quite broad in diameter. For stability, the pseudostem is thick and sturdy, with the leaves radiating out from the top. Older leaves die off at the bottom of the plant giving the trunk a red and green striped appearance.

 

Ideal Growing Conditions

Climate

The Red Abyssinian Banana Plant needs a warm, tropical or subtropical environment. The optimal temperatures the plant thrives in are between 60°F to 85°F (15°C to 29°C). However, it will not resistant to frost. If you live in an area with colder winters, this plant can be grown as annual and interiorized with the onset of colder month to protect it from frost. It should also be given a warmer environment than the one suggested (60°F to 85°F); the warmer, the better. In USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, this plant can be grown outdoors all year round.

Sunlight

The Red Abyssinian Banana Plant does best with full sun to partial shade. If living in climates that get intense sunlight, giving some afternoon shade can help prevent the leaves from scorching. Too much shade can result in slower growth and less intense colours in the leaves.

Soil

It likes humus-rich, sandy, well-drained soil, with a pH slightly acidic to almost neutral (6.0 to 7.0). Good drainage is important as the plant can be prone to root rot. For arid or semi-arid regions, this is less important as it seldom rains.

Watering

The Red Abyssinian Banana Plant likes humidity and needs continually moist soil. You should try to keep the soil moist, but not overly saturated, throughout the growing season but take care to reduce watering over winter, when the plant does not grow so quickly. watering during the growing season: keep the plant’s soil constantly moist, but not waterlogged watering in summer: if it’s particularly hot, you might benefit from watering every day. watering in winter: take extra care to reduce how much you water the plant.

Fertilization

Because it grows so quickly, nutrients and water can sometimes become depleted in the soil. Using a balanced and slow-release fertiliser applied each 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season can help keep your banana plant lush and healthy. Tilling compost or other organic matter into the soil can also provide extra nutrients and help amend the soil.

Planting and Propagation

Planting

Plenty of space will be needed for this spreading plant, as the leaves grow to huge proportions and should not be squashed against other plants nearby. If planting into the ground, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, and add in compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil.

If potting, use a size-appropriate container with large drainage holes, to accomodate the extensive root system. The plant will prefer a well-draining potting mix with added organic matter. Repotting may be necessary every few years, to accommodate the shrub’s expanding root system.

Propagation

Seeds and division (splitting plants into parts) are the two typical ways to breed the Red Abyssinian Banana Plant. Sowing seeds and waiting for them to germinate is the slower method. Seeds will germinate after about four weeks, if you are lucky. On the other hand, if you have a lot of patience, you can chug along at this pace. Placing the seeds in 80°F to 90°F (26.7°C to 32.2°C, or in my case, a marginally hot water tank) water for 24 hours usually helps improve germination. Plant the seeds in a triple-mix of sand, vermiculite and perlite to ensure great drainage. Keep the soil consistently moist and warm (70°F to 80°F, or 21°C to 27°C).

If you can, though, propagation by division is generally the quicker and more foolproof method. It involves snapping off the suckers, or offshoots, that sprout from just under the neck of the ‘mother’ plant, making sure that there are already roots attached to each one before tearing it away. Plant the new sucker in fresh compost or another location, and water it well to help it take.

Caring for the Red Abyssinian Banana Plant

Pruning

While this plant does not usually need pruning, it can be helpful in maintaining its beauty and stimulating new growth. Simply clip away any dead or brown leaves as you spot them, cutting them back to the base of the plant. This will not only tidy up your Red Abyssinian Banana Plant but it will also reduce the risk of silver leaf spreading disease.

Winter Care

It is also essential to take into account that, in areas where temperatures drop below zero, special measures must be taken to protect the Red Abyssinian Banana Plant through the winter. The plant can be dug out of the soil and transferred to a light, frost-free area indoors. Watering should be reduced, the plant will not grow as quickly.

Alternatively, if it is too large to dig up and move to a sheltered spot, heavily mulch it to protect the root crown from cold, and cut back the leaves to within a few inches of the ground. Then cover the base with a thick layer of straw or leaves. In the spring, remove the mulch and allow the plant to regrow.

Pest and Disease Management

She is quite pest- and disease-resistant though she can occasionally suffer from the common garden pests that plague us all such as aphids, spider mites and mealybugs. Inspect your plant regularly and treat infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Excessive watering and inadequate drainage are the leading causes of the plant’s most common disease, called root rot. To prevent this, keep the soil well-drained and don’t give the plant too much water. If root rot does occur, cut the plant off at its base, improve the soil, and consider replanting.

Benefits and Uses of the Red Abyssinian Banana Plant

Ornamental Value

The Red Abyssinian Banana Plant is versatile, but due to its short stature, glossy large leaves and vibrant colours it’s a plant mainly grown for its ornamental qualities.This Abyssinian Banana is quick growing and will thrive in most locations. Plant it as a specimen to be the focal point for your garden or landscape, or plant it in large container such as an urn or fountain; either way the striking colourful foliage is will be certain to create a tropical, lush and exotic atmosphere.This beautiful plant is also is perfect for patios, balconies or indoor spaces.

Environmental Impact

In the plant’s home environment it would help to preserve soil and feed local wildlife. The plant will never produce edible bananas but the seeds can be used to grow new plants, promoting biodiversity, and the plant’s large leaves can be used as ground cover to help prevent soil erosion.

Cultural Significance

‘Enset’ grows in Ethiopia. It is known to Ethiopians as the Red Abyssinian Banana Plant, although the edible ornamental variety grown in backyards has nothing to do with bananas. Yet this tree-like herb that shrubbers planted in my parents’ garden is still a cultural phenomenon worth fighting for, even if it has little use as a kitchen staple. In many parts of Ethiopia, enset is exactly that, providing its starchy pseudostem and corm to make fermented ‘kocho’, a staple food in parts of southern and western Ethiopia. Growing this tree-like herb for food was an attempt by my parents to honour a plant they saw as culturally as well as ornamentally enriching.