How To Grow Banana Plants (Pink Banana)
Updated on Jan 12, 2022
By Shannon McCabe
Latin name Musa velutina is a tropical perennial member of the Musaceae, or banana, family. This fascinating banana produces racks of tiny, bright pink bananas! The fruit is technically edible, but it is not very tasty. It is also very starchy and has extremely hard seeds that can chip a tooth. We love this plant for its stunning ornamental value, though. Hardy to USDA zone 7b.
HISTORY
Native to Assam and the eastern Himalayas.
USES
- Ornamental
- Leaves are great for making tamales
- Pink banana seeds take up to several months to germinate, so please be patient.
- Germination can be difficult; hot water treatment helps. Place seeds in a heat-retaining vessel (such as a Thermos) with 110 F water for 36 hours.
- Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep into medium.
- Keep soil temp at around 90 F (using a horticultural heat mat is ideal).
- Growing is very easy once seeds germinate.
- Plants prefer full sun (though part shade is OK in very hot climates).
- Provide rich, well-drained soil.
- Space plants at least 4 feet apart.
- Pink banana is quite cold tolerant, though freezing temperatures will kill back foliage. However, as long as your winters do not dip below 20 F, the plant will emerge from the ground again in spring.
PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
- A relatively pest- and disease- free plant.
- Saving seeds is easy. Just allow plants to flower and fruit.
- The tiny pink bananas will split open when ripe.
- Extract seeds by hand and dry.
- Store in a cool, dark, dry place.
