Let me clear something up straight away about black banana trees. They're not black. They're deep burgundy, chocolate-purple, or wine-red depending on light and maturity. And if someone's selling you a "black banana tree," you need to know exactly which plant you're actually getting.
I've grown both main varieties people call "black banana trees" for over a decade. One's purely ornamental and absolutely stunning. The other can fruit but looks less dramatic. Neither is truly black, but both are worth growing if you understand what you're dealing with.
What People Actually Mean by "Black Banana Tree"
There are two plants that dominate this search term.
Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' – the Abyssinian banana or Ethiopian banana. This is what most garden centres stock when they advertise "black banana trees." Deep burgundy-red leaves with a prominent red midrib. Absolutely gorgeous as an ornamental. Zero chance of edible fruit.
Musa acuminata 'Zebrina' (or 'Sumatrana') – the blood banana or zebra banana. Green leaves with maroon-purple splotches and stripes. Dark red-purple midrib and stems. Can produce small edible bananas in warm climates, though most people grow it for looks.
Then there's confusion with red or purple banana varieties that have dark stems but green leaves. That's not what we're talking about here. When people search for a black banana tree, they want dark foliage.
Growing Ensete Maurelii (The True Ornamental)
This is the showstopper. Six-foot-tall leaves that emerge bronze-green and mature to deep wine-red. The whole plant looks like it belongs in a Victorian conservatory.
I keep mine in a massive pot that I can move. Full sun in cooler climates, partial shade in hot regions – it scorches easier than green varieties because of the darker pigmentation. Feed heavily during growing season. Water consistently but never let it sit in soggy soil.
Here's what nobody tells you: Ensete doesn't produce suckers like Musa does. It grows one massive pseudostem, flowers once (if you're lucky and in the right climate), then dies. No pups. No offset plants. That's it.
You can grow it from seed, but germination is slow and unreliable. Most people buy established plants and treat them as dramatic annuals or move them indoors for winter.
Hardiness: Zone 9-11 as a perennial. Zone 7-8 if you mulch heavily and accept dieback. Anywhere colder, it's a summer container plant.
The real difference between this and standard bananas: wind shreds the leaves even faster. Those gorgeous broad leaves tear like tissue paper in anything above a decent breeze. Position matters more than with green varieties.
Growing Musa Zebrina (The Fruiting Option)
Less dramatic visually than Ensete but far easier to manage long-term.
The leaves have that striking purple-red marbling pattern on green background. Stems range from burgundy to almost chocolate depending on sun exposure. And crucially, it produces pups freely so you're never stuck with a single plant.
Standard banana care applies here. Rich soil, regular feeding, consistent moisture. Full sun in most climates. Banana stem care is identical to green varieties.
Fruit production: Possible in zones 9-11 with a long warm season. The bananas are small, seedy, and not particularly tasty compared to commercial varieties. Most people don't bother harvesting them.
Cold tolerance: Slightly less hardy than common Cavendish types. Expect stem death below 28°F (-2°C). The rhizome survives to zone 8b with heavy mulching. It'll push up new growth each spring but won't fruit unless you're in a warmer area.
Care Differences You Actually Need to Know
Here's what a decade of growing dark-leafed varieties taught me.
Nutrient deficiency shows up faster. The dark pigmentation masks early signs of nitrogen shortage that you'd spot immediately on green leaves. By the time you notice yellowing, you're weeks behind. I feed these every two weeks during active growth, not monthly like I do with standard varieties.
Sunburn happens easier than you think. Dark leaves absorb more heat. In my Melbourne garden (hot summers), the Ensete needs afternoon shade or the leaf edges crisp up brown. Musa zebrina handles full sun better but still shows stress faster than organic bananas or standard varieties.
Pest visibility is a nightmare. Spider mites love these plants. But you can't see webbing or stippling on dark burgundy leaves until the infestation is serious. I inspect the undersides weekly with a headlamp. It's tedious but necessary.
Wind damage is catastrophic. I mentioned this earlier but it's worth repeating. Dark varieties have the same leaf structure as green bananas, but damaged tissue shows as dead brown patches that ruin the aesthetic completely. One windy week can turn your showpiece plant into a shredded mess. Sheltered positions aren't optional – they're essential.
What About Black Stem Varieties?
Some banana varieties have very dark purple-black pseudostems with standard green leaves. These are different plants from what most people want when they search "black banana tree."
Common examples include certain red banana cultivars and Musa 'Helen's Hybrid.' Beautiful plants, but the foliage stays green. If you specifically want dark leaves, these won't satisfy.
Where to Actually Buy Black Banana Trees
Ensete maurelii shows up at garden centres in spring as ornamental tropicals. Online nurseries stock them year-round. Expect to pay £15-40 for a decent-sized plant in the UK.
Musa zebrina is harder to source locally. Specialist banana nurseries online are your best option. Some sellers list it as 'Sumatrana' or blood banana. Price ranges from £20-60 depending on size.
Make sure you're getting the specific botanical name, not just "black banana." There's too much confusion in the market.
The Honest Reality of Growing These
They're not beginner plants. Are frozen bananas healthy is an easier question than keeping a black banana tree looking good through a full growing season.
You need:
- A sheltered spot with appropriate light
- Consistent watering schedule
- Regular feeding regime
- Pest monitoring discipline
- Realistic expectations about hardiness
If you're in zones 9-11 and have a protected courtyard or conservatory, these are fantastic. If you're trying to grow Ensete maurelii outdoors in zone 6, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.
The reward is worth it when you get conditions right. There's nothing quite like a six-foot-tall burgundy leaf unfurling in your garden. Just understand what you're committing to.
Black Banana Tree Growing at a Glance
| Aspect | Ensete Maurelii | Musa Zebrina |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf colour | Deep burgundy-red throughout | Purple-marbled on green |
| Produces pups | No – single-stem plant | Yes – forms clumps |
| Edible fruit | No | Yes (small, seedy) |
| Cold hardiness | Zone 9-11 | Zone 8b-11 |
| Wind tolerance | Poor | Poor |
| Container growing | Excellent | Good |
| Availability | Common in garden centres | Specialist nurseries |
Final Word on Black Banana Trees
A black banana tree is one of the most striking plants you can grow. Whether you choose the ornamental drama of Ensete maurelii or the tropical aesthetic of Musa zebrina, you're getting something genuinely unique.
Just don't expect it to be easy. These aren't purple bananas you buy from the shop – they're demanding plants that reward attention with serious visual impact.
Get the variety right for your climate, protect them from wind, and monitor them closely. Do that, and you'll have a genuine conversation piece in your garden. That's what a black banana tree delivers when you grow it properly.
