Musa Species, Red Torch Banana, Red-Flowering Banana, Scarlet Banana

In my opinion, the most beautiful ornamental banana. Unfortunately, it is very tricky and temperamental to grow outside the tropics, pron...Read Moree to fungal diseases and very demanding of tropical forest conditions and high air humidity. It can tolerate light frosts, but if you except blooms it needs to be kept at frost free conditions and overwinter at temperatures above 50F/ 10C. Seeds of the market will almost never germinate, as they have to be fresh to be viable. It's beauty is one of a kind, but if it was as hardy and easy as seed companies and nurseries claim, it should be found everywhere. The fact that it is so hard to find is because it is very tender and sensitive. Musa velutina is a much easier choice, as it grows without problems outside the tropics.