An ornamental banana growing to 6 metres with large spreading leaves and a stout trunk, much fatter than the edible cultivars of banana that grow here in Aotearoa. It is native to Africa and grown as a staple food in Ethiopia, feeding around 20 million people there.

Unlike most banana species, which continue to self propagate via pups, Abyssinian bananas do not produce pups and will flower and fruit once after a number of years and then die. The fruit are technically edible but they are very small and contain large hard seeds.

The base of the stem and the corm can be eaten and are high in carbohydrates; we have not tried this ourselves, however, and mainly use this plant for its value in a food forest system, and as a backup food source should the need arise.

In a food forest setting it is a great plant for providing quick shelter and a microclimate for tender subtropicals. It also provides many leaves over its lifecycle that can be used as a chop and drop mulch, and ultimately at the end of its life it provides a huge water-rich stem which can be used in a similar way.

It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types but prefers warmer areas. It is somewhat frost tender so shelter is preferable when small. It is a heavy feeder and will grow best with plenty of water.

Size: 1L