Abyssinian Banana
Ensete Ventricosum
Overview
The Abyssinian Banana, Ensete ventricosum, is a non-fruiting ornamental plant featuring broad, luscious green leaves that can reach up to 10 feet in length. This fast-growing, tropical perennial boasts a robust, paddle-shaped foliage emanating from its dramatically swollen base, with mature heights up to 18 feet. Hardy in zones 10-11, it's ideal for creating a bold, exotic look in warm-climate landscapes or as a striking potted specimen in cooler regions.
Sun Full, HalfWater HighZones 10–11Type PalmClimate Subtropical

Culture
- Sun
- Full, Half
- Water
- High
- USDA zones
- 10–11
Shape & size
Classification
- Type
- Palm
- Family
- Musaceae
- Climate
- Subtropical
See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.
Start your 14-day trialPhotos (64)
















Photographs by 7 contributors
- Rillke, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 us · source
- Tylwyth Eldar, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 · source
- H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- J Brew, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Related plants

Perennial
Dwarf Cavendish Banana
Musa Acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish'
FullUSDA 10–11

Perennial
Edible Or Chinese Banana
Musa X Paradisiaca
FullUSDA 10–11

Perennial
Hardy Banana
Musa Basjoo
FullUSDA 10–11

Palm
Lipstick Palm
Cyrtostachys Renda
FullUSDA 10–11

Palm
Alexander Palm
Ptychosperma Elegans
FullUSDA 8–10

Palm
Bamboo Cycad
Ceratozamia Hildae
ShadeUSDA 10–11