Musa sikkimensis 'Bengal Tiger'

Also Known As

Bengal Tiger Sikkim Banana

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 10'-14'
W: 8'-12'

planting zones

7b-10b

More Options

Musa sikkimensis 'Bengal Tiger' plant details

Musa sikkimensis 'Bengal Tiger' is a broadleaf deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial with green and red foliage. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and high water. Does well in rich soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Musa sikkimensis 'Bengal Tiger'

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: musaceae
Foliage: deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen green and red
Mature size: 8 FT - 12 FT - wide, 10 FT - 14 FT - tall
Uses: big leaves, spotted leaves

GROWING CONDITIONS for Musa sikkimensis 'Bengal Tiger'

USDA Zones: 7b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: high
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Musa sikkimensis 'Bengal Tiger' is a beautiful selection of hardy banana with much more burgundy than the species with burgundy stripes on top of the leaves and a burgundy flush underneath though plants can be variable in the degree of streaking. Some claim this species is hardier than Musa basjoo but I’ve found the opposite. Even well-wrapped the stems of my plant have died to the ground every winter since about 2001. Still, with good mulching it has been ground hardy like a herbaceous perennial and returns to a height of eight feet every season with its gorgeous leaves. Well worth it. Syn. M. hookeri.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

This giant varigated cold hardy musa boasts dark green leaves that are heavily splotched with red. The underside of the leaves are solid red and appear to "flash" when the wind moves the leaves. This giant is hardy to zone 7. Great show peice for any northern garden.