Musa x chiliocarpa

Description

Musa x chiliocarpa is a beautiful banana sometimes known as ‘Thousand Finger Banana’ (although there are varying accounts of a couple of varieties sharing this common name).  Growing up to 3m tall in its native surroundings in Asia, Musa x chiliocarpa boasts large paddle-like zingy green foliage.  Here in the UK it likes to be kept on the warmer side and definitely needs to be kept above freezing, in a warm conservatory or heated greenhouse to a minimum of 10 degrees C.  Although unlikely to reach 3m in the UK, once the plant has matured a little (4 years plus) and if it has suitable coziness, you may be fortunate enough to experience small purple flowers from which hundreds of small bananas develop (not usually edible but who cares).