Ensete

( en - SET - ay )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes species which produce fruits that are known as False Bananas or Ensets, which represent an economically important food crop in places like Ethiopia. These plants are native to Asia and Africa, and can grow to be quite large, forming large leaves that are often multicolored with shades of purple, red, and green. Although they look like trees, their large stems are made of overlapping leaves, and are not true trunks. Use these structural plants to create an instant tropical feel or as focal points around pools or tropical borders. They can also be grown in containers.

Ensete Species and Varietals

The genus Ensete is a member of the plant family Musaceae, and includes over 250 species. These tropical plants grow well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Ensete glaucum (Musa nepalensis) (Snow Banana, Blue Banana, Sai-Su, Ban Keraa)
These plants are typically cultivated as ornamentals in gardens in their native range (India, China, Nepal, Burma, Vietnam, and Thailand). It forms a bluish-green pseudostem and large leaves that can reach up to 6 feet long and 2 feet wide. Fruits are used to feed livestock, and are considered medicinal, fed to infants and sick patients in India. Flowering parts and young shoots are consumed as vegetables.

Ensete perrieri (Madagascar Banana, Madagascar Banana Tree, Perrier's Banana)
This critically endangered species is native to Madagascar, threatened by deforestation and climate change. Trees reach between 16 and 20 feet tall, growing from a pseudostem of rolled up leaves. Because of the fruit's large seeds, it is a bit unpalatable to consume, but the species is used to study disease resistance for improving cultivated Bananas.

Ensete superbum (Cliff Banana, Rock Banana, Wild Plantain, Wild Banana, Jangli Kela)
This species of Banana hails from India, and is a well-known cultivated plant there. They can reach up to 12 feet tall, and produce bright green leaves. Fruits are less than three inches long at maturity, and are more or less triangular with dark brown seeds.

Ensete ventricosum (Enset, Ensete, Ethiopian Banana, Abyssinian Banana, Pseudo-Banana, False Banana, Wild Banana)
This species is cultivated in Ethiopia, where it is considered a staple food. It forms a non-woody large plant, the largest recorded at 42 feet tall. A stout pseudostem forms from leaf bases that are tightly overlapped. Flowers bloom on inflorescences that can reach up to 10 feet long. The portion of the plant that is cultivated is the root, each providing about 88 pounds of food when harvested from a 4-5 year old plant. The heart of the plant that is tender is cooked and eaten as a vegetable, as well.

Caring for Ensete

Ensete, or False Banana, plants should be planted in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade. They ideally should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day. To avoid sun burning leaves, provide these plants with some shade during the afternoon when temperatures are at their peak. They also appreciate some shelter from strong winds and a humid space, as well, to avoid leaves splitting and getting damaged. Plant in rich, deep soil that is well-draining and has a pH of between 5.0 and 6.5 (slightly acidic). If soils do not drain well or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend soil with plenty of organic material and/or compost before planting. After installing, lay down a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant, ensuring that it does not touch stems, in order to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, these plants appreciate consistently moist soils, but cannot stand waterlogged conditions, which can cause issues with root rot. Ensete requires rich soil and frequent fertilizations. Fertilize using compost a few times a year, first when new growth emerges in springtime and then every few weeks through the growing season. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch each time. Prune off any dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the active growing season. These plants will survive in the landscape for between 3 and 10 years. They are monocarpic plants, meaning that they will flower once in their lives, produce their fruits, and then perish, often leaving behind offsets or 'pups' that can be replanted elsewhere.

Caring for Ensete Indoors
Ensete plants require at least a 15-gallon container for optimal growth. Pots should have large drainage holes. Ensure that soil is rich in organic material and well-draining, with a pH of between 5.0 and 6.5. Fertilize monthly during the active growth and blooming seasons with a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Place your Ensete in a spot in the home that is near a south or west-facing window for the ideal exposure. It will thrive in a spot that stays between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Under 60 degrees Fahrenheit, these plants will struggle to grow well. They will not reach their maximum size and typically will not bear fruit unless meticulously cared for indoors. Container-grown plants will need to be divided and repotted every two to three years. For instructions on how to successfully divide and replant, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

The easiest way to propagate Ensete plants is through division of existing plants' corms. To propagate an Ensete, or False Banana, plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Ensete by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.