Red banana plant 'Maurelii' (Ensete ventricosum) - purple-leaved banana plant - 15 cm pot - Height 50 cm - Set of 2

In a 15 cm pot, the Red Abaca (Ensete ventricosum) is delivered at a height of 50 cm, but it grows particularly quickly. In a large container (at least 40 to 50 cm in diameter), it can reach a height of 1.5 to 2 metres in a single growing season under good conditions of sunlight and watering. When planted in the ground in a mild climate, mature specimens can exceed 3 to 4 metres. It is advisable to repot it every spring into a larger container so as not to hinder its natural vigour.

No, the Red Ensete (Ensete ventricosum) is semi-hardy and cannot tolerate frost: it must be protected from the first frosts, generally in October depending on the region. In a pot, the simplest solution is to bring it indoors to a frost-free area (between 5 and 10°C), bright if possible, watering very sparingly until spring. In the ground, thick mulch around the base and protecting the pseudostem with horticultural fleece may suffice in regions with mild winters (USDA zone 9 and warmer), but recovery is never guaranteed in the event of severe frost.

The Red Banana plant requires full sun to develop properly and express the richness of its purplish-red foliage. A warm location, sheltered from strong winds that tear the large leaves, is ideal: a south or southwest-facing wall, a sheltered terrace, or a sunny corner of the garden. In shade or partial shade, growth slows considerably and the characteristic hues of the foliage f'ade. The more sunlight the plant receives, the more intense the red color of the midrib and the underside of the leaves will be.

The red banana plant is a heavy consumerof water, especially during the peak summer growing season. In a pot, water generously two to three times a week in hot weather and always check that w'ater i's draining through the drainage hole to prevent root rot. In the ground, watering deeply once a week is generally sufficient if the soil is well-drained, but double the frequency during heatwaves. Mulching around the base of the plant (bark, straw) helps retain soil m'oisture and reduce watering.

The fruit produced by the red ensete (Ensete ventricosum) is not edible like regular bananas: it contains little sweet pulp and many hard seeds. However, this species is highly valued in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa for its underground parts: the base of the pseudostem (stipe) and the roots are rich in starch and constitute a major food resource for millions of people, notably processed into a fermented flour called kocho. In Europe, the plant is grown exclusively for its spectacular foliage and ornamental effect.

The Red Banana Plant pairs beautifully with other large-leaved exotic plants: red and orange-flowered cannas, decorative dahlias with dark foliage, bamboo as a backdrop hedge, or even grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis for a contrast in textures. To enhance the tropical feel, pair it with yuccas, agapanthus, and shrubby hibiscus. In pots on a patio, combine two Red Banana Plants (as in this set of 2) with bright orange tuberous begonias for a very summery plant display.

To overwinter a Red Banana in a pot, start by cutting back the foliage to 30 cm above the ground in 'autumn, before the first frosts. Move the pot indoors to a frost-free location: a garage, a bright cellar, or an unheated conservatory between 5 and 12°C is perfectly suitable. Drastically reduce watering throughout the winter: once every two to three weeks is enough to keep the rhizome alive without risking rot. As soon as the frosts end in spring (usually in May depending on the region), gradually expose the plant to outdoor sunlight and resume normal watering to stimulate new growth.