Musa sikkimensis (Darjeeling Banana)

An exceptionally hardy variety that dies back in winter but will re-sprout from the roots in spring; cut back in mid-fall and mulch; very fast growing; evergreen in warm temperate climates; a nice landscape accent or container plant.

Darjeeling Banana is an herbaceous tropical perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep and should never be pruned except to remove any dieback, as it tends not to take pruning well. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Darjeeling Banana is a wonderfully ornamental plant with characteristically tropical foliage and uniquely interesting flowers. Its attractive enormous oval leaves emerge purple in spring, turning green in colour with showy dark red variegation throughout the season. This plant features showy creamy white flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. The green fruits are held in clusters in early fall.

Darjeeling Banana will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

Darjeeling Banana is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.