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Growing Inspiration
Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.
ornamentalFamily: MusaceaeGenus: EnseteSpecies: maurelii
Cultivar
Abyssinian Banana
Ensete maurelii
This non-fruiting tropical relative of the banana is celebrated for its massive, upright leaves that emerge with intense reddish-purple hues before maturing to a deeper bronze-green. It grows with remarkable vigor, quickly establishing an impressive, trunk-like pseudostem that brings a lush, exotic aesthetic to any setting. Whether used as a standalone specimen on a patio or as a center-piece in a tropical border, it offers unmatched visual impact.
Ensete maurelii is a dramatic, large-scale tropical plant prized for its bold, paddle-shaped, deep burgundy-red foliage. It creates a stunning architectural focal point in warm-climate landscapes or large containers.
Marketplace packs coming soon
Current nursery inventory and 18 / 36 / 72 pricing will appear here when available.
Cultivar Story
Start with Inspiration. Grow Your Aspiration.
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Marketplace Plant
A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.
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Aspirational Garden
Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.
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Plant Detail
A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.
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Repotting / Start Growing
Begin with a starter plant and establish it in a larger pot using quality potting soil with beneficials and fertilizer.
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Start · Plan · Grow
Start with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.
Cultivar Video
Agardeni▶
Cultivar Video Coming Soon
See this cultivar from starter plant to aspirational garden.
Plant Profile
Grow Abyssinian Banana with confidence
Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.
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Sun
Full sun to partial shade, with best foliage color in bright light.
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Water
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. High water needs during the active growing season.
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Mature size
8-12 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
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Hardiness
10-11
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Growth habit
upright, clumping pseudostem
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Plant type
tropical foliage plant
View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
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View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
Good to know
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Growing note
Requires protection from strong, drying winds which can shred the large leaves. Not frost-tolerant and should be moved indoors or protected during freezing temperatures.
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Climate note
Thrives in heat and high humidity; protect from frost at all costs.
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Flower / fruit
Typically grown for foliage; flowering is rare and terminal, usually occurring only after several years of growth in ideal conditions.
Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Sun / light
Full sun to partial shade, with best foliage color in bright light.
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Growth rate
fast
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Fertilizer
Heavy feeder; apply a balanced, high-nitrogen liquid or granular fertilizer regularly during the active summer growing months.
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Pruning
Remove older, lower leaves as they fade or brown to maintain a tidy appearance; no formal pruning required.
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Care notes
Requires protection from strong, drying winds which can shred the large leaves. Not frost-tolerant and should be moved indoors or protected during freezing temperatures.
Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Mature size
8-12 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
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Growth habit
upright, clumping pseudostem
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Spacing
6-10 feet apart
Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flowering / fruiting
Typically grown for foliage; flowering is rare and terminal, usually occurring only after several years of growth in ideal conditions.
Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Hardiness zones
10-11
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Temperature
Thrives in heat and high humidity; protect from frost at all costs.
Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. High water needs during the active growing season.
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Soil
Rich, fertile, well-draining soil with high organic matter content.
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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Container Growing
Suitable for large containers; ensure pots have excellent drainage to prevent root rot. Provide ample space for significant root growth.
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Family
Musaceae
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Foliage Look
broad, paddle-shaped leaves, deep maroon and bronze hues, prominent central midrib, lush texture
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Foliage Rules
Leaves are large, fleshy, and paddle-shaped with strong central veins. Color ranges from deep maroon to dark bronze-green.
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Fruit Flower Look
none expected in standard landscape use
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Fruit Flower Rules
Flower stalks and fruit are not typical for starter plants and should not be featured in young plant imagery.
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Growth Habit Rules
Maintain an upright, singular pseudostem silhouette; avoid depictions of multi-stem branching or lateral suckering.
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Mature Plant Look
towering, architectural, bold tropical structure with dark, impressive foliage
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Mature Stage Morphology
Large, upright pseudostem composed of broad, paddle-like leaves arranged in a rosette, reaching significant height and scale.
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Morphology Rules
Emphasis should be on the massive, structural foliage arrangement and the robust, stout nature of the pseudostem.
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Plant Faqs
Does Ensete maurelii produce bananas? No, this species is grown purely for its ornamental, dramatic foliage and does not produce edible fruit. Can I grow this in a pot? Yes, it thrives in large containers, though it will need regular watering and feeding. Is it frost hardy? No, it is a tropical plant and requires protection from frost and freezing temperatures.
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Root Look
vigorous, fibrous root system filling a starter plug
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Soil Look
dark, rich, moist, organic-rich potting medium
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Starter Stage
Young plants feature a small cluster of tightly spiraled, upright leaves with a distinct reddish tint.
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Starter Stage Morphology
Juvenile leaves are lance-shaped, delicate, and may show variable red pigmentation depending on light exposure.
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Video Voiceover Script
Welcome to Agardeni, where inspiration for gardening helps us imagine how and where we will grow Ensete maurelii. This is Ensete maurelii, available as 18, 36, and 72 plant starter trays through the Agardeni Marketplace. Let this stunning foliage plant become part of your aspirational plan, helping you imagine the future tropical garden you want to create. Focus on the massive, deep burgundy leaves that provide an incredible architectural structure and bold color to your landscape. Establish your starter plant by moving the small plug into a four-inch pot with quality potting mix, then move it to a larger final container or your garden when established. Find your inspiration with Agardeni. Explore real plants and real availability. Start. Plan. Grow.
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Youtube Tags
Ensete maurelii Abyssinian Banana tropical garden foliage plant architectural plants large leaf plants Agardeni container gardening tropical landscaping fast-growing tropicals
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Youtube Video Summary
Ensete maurelii brings a bold, tropical architectural presence to any garden with its striking burgundy-red foliage. Discover how this fast-growing, non-fruiting banana relative can transform your outdoor space.
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Youtube Video Title
Growing the Architectural Ensete maurelii Abyssinian Banana
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Future Buyer Brand Sellers
Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.