ornamentalFamily: MusaceaeGenus: Ensete

Cultivar

Red Abyssinian Banana

Ensete

Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' is an impressive, fast-growing tropical plant that brings an exotic, architectural aesthetic to any space. Its thick, sturdy pseudostem supports enormous, paddle-shaped leaves that emerge a vibrant reddish-maroon before maturing to a deep green with distinctive burgundy undersides. Perfect for making a bold statement, this plant thrives in warm, humid conditions and is highly valued for its tropical foliage display.

The Red Abyssinian Banana is a dramatic tropical plant prized for its massive, broad leaves with striking deep red and purple coloration. It is a stunning architectural addition to large containers or as a centerpiece in a tropical garden setting.

Marketplace packs coming soon

Current nursery inventory and 18 / 36 / 72 pricing will appear here when available.

Cultivar Story

Start with Inspiration. Grow Your Aspiration.

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Growing Inspiration

Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.

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Marketplace Plant

A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.

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Aspirational Garden

Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.

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Plant Detail

A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.

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Repotting / Start Growing

Begin with a starter plant and establish it in a larger pot using quality potting soil with beneficials and fertilizer.

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Start ยท Plan ยท Grow

Start with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.

Cultivar Video

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Cultivar Video Coming Soon

See this cultivar from starter plant to aspirational garden.

Plant Profile

Grow Red Abyssinian Banana with confidence

Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.

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Sun

Full sun to partial shade.

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Water

Keep consistently moist during the growing season, ensuring well-draining soil to prevent root rot.

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Mature size

8-12 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide.

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Hardiness

10-11

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Growth habit

Upright, clumping tropical herb.

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Plant type

Tropical foliage plant

View Plant Data

Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.

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Good to know

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Growing note

Needs protection from strong winds that can shred the large leaves. It is not cold-hardy and must be brought indoors or treated as an annual in cooler climates.

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Climate note

Thrives in high heat and humidity; frost-sensitive and should be kept above 50ยฐF (10ยฐC).

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Flower / fruit

Rarely flowers or fruits in typical home or landscape settings; primarily grown for its dramatic foliage.

Growing & Care

Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.

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Sun / light

Full sun to partial shade.

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Growth rate

Fast during the warm growing season.

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Fertilizer

Heavy feeder; apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or liquid fertilizer regularly throughout the active growing season.

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Pruning

Minimal pruning required; remove old, damaged, or yellowing leaves at the base to maintain a clean appearance.

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Care notes

Needs protection from strong winds that can shred the large leaves. It is not cold-hardy and must be brought indoors or treated as an annual in cooler climates.

Size & Habit

How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.

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Mature size

8-12 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide.

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Growth habit

Upright, clumping tropical herb.

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Spacing

6-10 feet apart.

Flower / Fruit

Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.

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Flowering / fruiting

Rarely flowers or fruits in typical home or landscape settings; primarily grown for its dramatic foliage.

Climate & Hardiness

Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.

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Hardiness zones

10-11

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Temperature

Thrives in high heat and humidity; frost-sensitive and should be kept above 50ยฐF (10ยฐC).

Soil & Water

Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.

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Watering

Keep consistently moist during the growing season, ensuring well-draining soil to prevent root rot.

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Soil

Rich, fertile, organic, well-draining soil.

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Soil pH

6.0-7.0

More Plant Data

19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.

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Container Growing

Highly suitable for large containers; ensure pots have excellent drainage and provide frequent feeding for optimal growth.

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Family

Musaceae

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Foliage Look

Large, paddle-shaped leaves with deep maroon, purple, and green variegation.

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Foliage Rules

Leaves are broad and paddle-shaped, displaying prominent midribs and a mix of deep green and reddish-maroon tones.

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Fruit Flower Look

Ornamental, large, hanging inflorescence is rare and not a primary feature.

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Fruit Flower Rules

Do not depict fruit or flowers on starter plants; these are not characteristic of the juvenile stage.

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Growth Habit Rules

Maintain an upright, singular, sturdy stem habit; do not depict it as a branching shrub or vine.

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Mature Plant Look

Dramatic, tall, tropical structure with giant, arching, colorful foliage.

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Mature Stage Morphology

Massive, upright, tree-like form with a thick pseudostem and broad, paddle-shaped leaves that can reach several feet in length.

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Morphology Rules

Ensure the plant displays a singular, robust, non-woody trunk that supports large, heavy leaves.

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Plant Faqs

Does this plant produce bananas? No, this is an ornamental variety grown for its foliage, not edible fruit. Can I grow this indoors? It can be grown indoors with very high light and humidity, but it prefers large outdoor container spaces. How fast does it grow? With sufficient water, fertilizer, and warmth, it is quite fast-growing during the summer.

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Root Look

Healthy, white-to-tan fibrous root system filling the starter plug.

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Soil Look

Dark, rich, moist, organic-looking potting medium.

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Starter Stage

Compact, vigorous starter with tightly packed, broad, reddish-green juvenile leaves emerging from a sturdy central base.

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Starter Stage Morphology

Leaves are shorter and more compact than mature specimens, often displaying more intense red pigment on younger growth.

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Video Voiceover Script

Welcome to Agardeni, where inspiration for gardening helps us imagine how and where we will grow Red Abyssinian Banana. This is Red Abyssinian Banana, available as 18, 36, and 72 plant starter trays through the Agardeni Marketplace. Let this striking tropical become part of your aspirational plan, helping you imagine the future lush garden space you want to create. Its large, paddle-shaped leaves emerge with vibrant deep red and maroon tones, creating an architectural masterpiece that defines any landscape. Establish your starter plug by moving it into a four-inch pot with quality, well-draining soil, later moving it to an appropriate final container or in-ground location. Find your inspiration with Agardeni. Explore real plants and real availability. Start. Plan. Grow.

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Youtube Tags

Ensete Ensete Maurelii Abyssinian Banana Tropical Plants Ornamental Banana Large Leaf Plants Garden Tropicals Agardeni Container Gardening Tropical Foliage

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Youtube Video Summary

Discover the dramatic beauty of the Red Abyssinian Banana, an impressive tropical plant with stunning maroon and green foliage. This architectural wonder is perfect for adding height and exotic color to your garden or patio container collection.

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Youtube Video Title

Growing the Red Abyssinian Banana (Ensete ventricosum Maurelii)

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Future Buyer Brand Sellers

Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.