Botanically known as Ensete Ventricosum [en-SET-ee, ven-tre-KO-sum], Ensete Maurelii [en-SET-ee, mor-REE-lee] is an herbaceous perennial and belongs to the flowering plant family Musaceae (banana plant).

Huge and banana-like, ensete maurellii is indigenous to East Africa.

This large non-woody plant is often cultivated in Ethiopia and is a source of food for millions of Ethiopians.

The evergreen herbaceous has a few common names as follows:

• Ethiopian Banana
• Abyssinian Banana
• Red Banana
• Ensete Ventricosum Maurelii
• Red Abyssinian Banana

Caring For Red Ensete Maurelii

Size and Growth

Ensete maurelii is a fast-growing banana plant, with an upright growth habit often reaching up to 12’ – 20’ feet tall.

When provided ideal growing season conditions, the humungous plant may heighten up to 30’ – 40’ feet tall.

The plant usually reaches this height in its native tropical lands only.

The leaves of the ensete are usually large, paddle-like, reaching up to 10’ – 20’ feet long and 2′ – 4’ feet wide.

They come in an olive-green shade and have vivid midribs and prominent leaf stalks.

The foliage or leaf blade are quite dramatic, with a combination of deep red and intense green colors.

Flowering and Fragrance

The Abyssinian banana produces non-showy flowers during their bloom time.

However, they are usually visible on young plants in a cool, moist season.

The plant doesn’t bloom in the first three or five years of its cultivation and evokes no scent whatsoever.

Besides this, the plant also produces dry and inedible fruiting of 3” inches long.

Light and Temperature

The tropical plant enjoys full sun or part shade to prompt active new growth.

The plant should avoid low light as it hinders growth.

For ideal formation, the plant further requires 68° degrees Fahrenheit (20° C).

During winter, the plant needs partial shade and a minimum temperature of 54° degrees Fahrenheit (12° C).

The USDA hardiness zone of Ensete maurelii is 10 to 11.

Watering and Feeding

The Abyssianian banana needs plenty of water, especially in the dry season.

The plant should not dry out between watering sessions.

The established plants are drought-resistant, to some extent.

However, ensure the moist soil is well-drained, ranging from a pH level of 5.5 to 6.5.

The banana tree is a heavy feeder and therefore needs a well-balanced fertilizer.

During cold, chilly weather conditions, the plant does well with infrequent watering as it is dormant at the time.

Soil and Transplanting

Whether growing indoors or outdoors, the tropical plant does great in any well-draining potting soil.

The summer-loving plant is suitable for sandy, loamy, or clay soil.

Suitable pH soils are acid, neutral, and alkaline.

Pick any type of soil but make sure it is well-moist.

Generally, the ensete maurelii plant is transplanted yearly into new pots, until they are finally ready to be cultivated in the field, where they stay until harvest.

The summer plant has the tendency to be transplanted multiple times, often 3 to 4 times; depending on the region it is planted.

In a scarce land, the suckers are usually transplanted into their new location, with the row spacing of 6’ to 9’ feet tall.

Grooming and Maintenance

Avoid overwintering at all costs. In winter, bring the plant indoors to protect it from heavy snow and strong winds.

Place it into a conservatory or frost free location to keep it in the best possible state.

However, some species of the plant may sustain light frost but it’s recommended to bring the plant inside before the first frost.

The banana plant may need light pruning. Simply remove old leaves from the base with the help of a scissor or a knife.

How to Propagate Abyssinian Red Banana

The propagation of the heat-loving plant is performed by dividing the plant, sowing seeds, or tissue culture.

Botanists suggest seeding is the best propagating method as the plant species don’t produce suckers.

Before sowing, the seeds need to lightly soak in warm water a day before the sowing.

Plant the seeds deep in a semi-warm location.

The fresh seeds are quick to germinate while the older ones take approximately six months.

To encourage growth, water the soil more frequently and keep the specimen in a sheltered area.

Red Abyssinian Banana Pests and Diseases

Some major threats to Ensete maurelii are bacterial diseases such as:

• corm rot
• dead heartleaf rot
• sheath rot
• bacterial wilt

And viral diseases including:

• mosaic
• root lesion
• root-knot
• chlorotic leaf streaks

Fly spiders, spider mites, jassid, aphids, and mealybugs hinder the growth of the houseplant.

Ensete Maurelii Uses

These foliage plants have several edible and medicinal uses.

The sheath of the green leaves is used in making a type of flour, known as “kocho”, from which good-quality bread is made.

The seed’s endosperm is also edible and hence ideal for cooking purposes.

The trunk-sized leaves and stems are often used for treating liver problems and side-effects of miscarriage while the infusion of leaves and fruits is employed for curing hepatitis.