Find a plant:

OR Browse All Plants


Musa zebrina (Blood banana)

Musa zebrina Photo/Illustration: Danielle Sherry


Be the first to rate this plant

Plant Showcase - from our advertisers


Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Musa zebrina MOO-sah zeb-REE-nah Common Name: Blood banana Genus: Musa
An oversize tender perennial, blood banana has large, fleshy, rubberlike leaves with dark markings. The foliage is green with random reddish purple blotches. On mature plants, orange or red flowers develop into inedible orange fruits.
 Care: Provide full sun and humusy soil in a sheltered location, away from wind.
 Propagation: From offsets or seed. Seeds may take several months to germinate.
 Problems: Cucumber mosaic virus, black leaf streak, anthracnose, wilt, spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, burrowing nematode.
Height 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Showy Foliage
Foliage Color Variegated Foliage
Flower Color Orange/ Salmon Flower; Red Flower
Uses , Beds and Borders, Container, Suitable as Annual
Seasonal Interest , Summer Interest
Type ,Perennials,Tropicals

Plants you might also like

Canna 'Pretoria' Canna 'Pretoria'
 (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Pretoria' is perhaps the showiest of all of the variegated cannas and one of the best for hot, humid, sunny southern gardens. Favored for its bright green and yellow variegated foliage and deep tangerine flowers, 'Pretoria' will grow at the edge of ponds in shallow water as well as in normal garden conditions. It is adaptable to heat and humidity. Protect in the northern part of its range, or lift tubers in fall where not hardy and store over winter.
Begonia 'Green Gold' Begonia 'Green Gold'
 Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

The leaves of 'Green Gold' are predominantly silver with deep green veining. New leaves are edged in burgundy. The silver color brightens up shady areas.  'Green Gold' grows vigorously and harmonizes well with other shade plants.
Begonia 'Escargot' Begonia 'Escargot'
 (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Escargot' takes its name from the snail-like curl pattern at the base of the leaf. The foliage is striking enough to stand on its own but it's a good mixer, too. Use it with other foliage plants and brightly colored blooms. This is an extremely popular Rex hybrid begonia.
Begonia 'Marmaduke' Begonia 'Marmaduke'
 (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Marmaduke' Rex begonia sports chocolate-colored speckles across golden leaves. The earth tones of 'Marmaduke' go well with solid-colored foliage plants and yellow or rusty-hued blooms.
Begonia 'Cowardly Lion' Begonia 'Cowardly Lion'
 Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Unlike many other shade garden plants with their cool blue colors, 'Cowardly Lion' rex begonia offers rich warm tones. Chocolate-colored leaf veins veil the golden leaves, which become darker with age and make a fine counterpoint to yellow-based foliage plants.