Add a dramatic, subtropical flair to your garden with Musa basjoo, the Japanese hardy banana. Despite its exotic appearance, this architectural marvel is surprisingly resilient and well-suited for the UK climate. Its magnificent, paddle-shaped leaves can each grow up to 2-3 metres in length, creating a lush, jungle-like canopy in a single season. While it can produce its small, inedible green fruits in the UK, it is prized for its stunning foliage.
| KEY PLANT INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| Plant Type: | Herbaceous perennial (Not a true tree) |
| Plant Colours: | Green / Yellow |
| Flowering period: | Late summer |
| Mature Height: | 2.5m – 4m / 8ft – 13ft |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun – part shade |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate to frequent |
| Cold Hardiness: | Hardy to -10ºC / 14ºF |
| Difficult: | Easy |
Plant Type
Herbaceous Perennial
Despite its tree-like size, the Japanese hardy banana (Musa basjoo) is technically a large herbaceous perennial.
Its seemingly solid “trunk” isn’t wood but a pseudostem, made of tightly packed, fleshy leaf sheaths. As a herbaceous plant, this entire above-ground structure is non-woody and will die back with the first hard frosts, just like any other commonly grown herbaceous perennial plant.
The perennial nature comes from its underground rhizome (a fleshy root structure). This rhizome survives the winter and sends up vigorous new shoots each spring, allowing the plant to live for many years and rapidly regrow its impressive height.
Mature Height
2.5 to 4m
In the UK, the mature height of Musa basjoo, or the Japanese hardy banana, typically ranges from 2.5 to 4 metres. Its ultimate height is often dependent on the winter survival of its pseudostem; if protected from frost, it can achieve greater heights over several years. If unprotected the psuedostem will likely be frosted back to the ground in severe winters and new shoots will emerge from the roots in spring.
In warmer, more consistently mild climates, Musa basjoo can reach a similar or slightly greater mature height, generally between 1.8 and 4.5 metres. In ideal, near-tropical conditions with a long growing season, it has the potential to grow even taller.
Light Requirements
Full sun to partial shade
Musa basjoo thrives in a location with plenty of bright light. For optimal growth, it prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. While it can tolerate full sun, in very hot and intense climates, some partial shade during the hottest part of the afternoon can be beneficial to prevent the large leaves from scorching.
A sheltered position is also crucial to protect the foliage from strong winds, which can easily shred the leaves. This will not kill the leaves, though some growers think it looks untidy. In shadier spots, the leaves may grow larger and appear a darker green, but the plant’s overall vigour might be slightly reduced.
Water Requirements
Moderate to frequent
Musa basjoo is a thirsty plant, especially during the peak growing season of spring and summer. It requires consistently moist soil to thrive and produce its large, iconic leaves. Water generously and regularly, ensuring the soil does not dry out, particularly in warm weather. However, good drainage is crucial to prevent waterlogging. Established plants can tolerate some summer drought, but growth will be inhibited.
Cold Hardiness
Hardy to -12ºC at the roots
Musa basjoo, or hardy banana, tolerates temperatures down to -12°C to -18°C when mulched, making it suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7–10. While the foliage dies in frost, the underground rhizome survives in these zones, regrowing each spring. Protection improves survival in colder regions.
