Family: Musaceae
Scientific name: Musa coccinea
Common name: Scarlet banana
Origin: Tropical China and Vietnam

The scarlet banana has beautiful red bracts that surround the yellow flowers. In nature the flowers are pollinated by bats, after which orange bananas of about 2 cm in size are formed. The species stays small, and is therefore suitable as an ornamental indoor plant.

Sowing description: Sand the seeds with sanding paper and soak them in lukewarm water for 48 hours. Sow the seeds in sowing mix and keep the soil constantly moist by covering the soil with plastic foil or glass. Let the seeds germinate in a warm spot indoors (for example in the sun or near a heater). Germination can take a few weeks or months, and can still occur as long as the seeds are firm.

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 12 degrees Celcius

Photo 1: TianZi Biodiversity Research & Development Centre