There are different types of dwarf bananas, all of which are very decorative, both in the winter garden all year round and in the summer garden. Their unusual flowers make them an attractive eye-catcher. However, edible fruits are not to be expected from every species.
Are dwarf bananas edible?
Dwarf banana species such as the Kenya banana (Musa velutina) have edible pink mini bananas that are considered tasty. On the other hand, the small, rounded fruits of the Chinese dwarf banana (Musella lasiocarpa) are inedible and are used as animal feed.
The Chinese dwarf banana Musella lasiocarpa
Musella lasiocarpa, which comes from the Chinese province of Yunnan, was long thought to be extinct, but now it is a popular potted plant that prefers to spend the summer in the garden. The Chinese dwarf banana grows to around 1.5 meters high and produces small, rounded fruits in its homeland, which are only used as animal feed.
In a bright, warm location, the Chinese dwarf banana will delight you with its distinctive flowers for many months, but you can hardly wait for fruit. In summer the plant needs a lot of water and should be watered regularly. In winter it prefers a bright quarter with temperatures of around 0 °C to 5 °C.
The Chinese dwarf banana in brief:
- was considered extinct for a long time
- up to 1.5 m high
- high water requirement in summer
- non-edible small roundish fruits
- used as livestock feed in Yunnan (China)
- Rarely produces fruit in this country
- bright warm location
- Overwintering at around 0 °C to 5 °C
The Kenya banana Musa velutina
The Kenya banana is also a very attractive container plant. Based on its fruits, it is often referred to as the pink dwarf banana. The somewhat maintenance-intensive and not winter-hardy plant grows to around 2 meters high. With its reddish leaves and elegant pink flowers, it looks very exotic and is an eye-catcher in every winter garden.
The development of the edible pink mini bananas takes a few months, but they are very tasty. You should definitely water the Kenya banana regularly. A well-protected, bright location without wind or drafts is just as important. Overwinter the plant at temperatures around 10 °C.
The Kenya banana in brief:
- pink flowers
- edible pink bananas
- up to 2 m high
- some maintenance intensive
- be sure to water regularly
- not hardy
- bright, wind and draught-protected location
- Wintering at at least 8 °C
Tip
If you value edible fruits, then it is better to choose the Kenya or pink dwarf banana, even if they are not particularly easy to care for.