Many varieties of the banana, from southeast Asia, grow much too big for even a large conservatory, but M.a. ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ is a more compact form, often producing small, edible fruits. The green-brown, suckering, pseudostems are formed from overlapping leaf sheaths and the palm like leaves grow to 3 ft. (90 cm) or more. Tubular flowers with red-purple bracts are borne on brown-haired, central stems, from which young fruit curve upward. This plant will grow in a conservatory border or large container.
Size: Height 6 ½—7 ft. (2—2.2 m).
Light: Direct sunlight, indirect sunlight, or partial shade.
Temperature: Tolerates a wide range; winter minimum 55°F (12°C).
Moisture: Keep thoroughly moist from spring to fall; moist in winter.
Feeding: Use standard liquid fertilizer once a month in spring and summer.
Propagation: Detach rooted suckers in summer.
Special needs: For fruit production, keep the temperature above 65°F (18°C), even at night.