Bananas are becoming more popular now. Look out for special offers in supermarkets, where you can find palettes of ornamental bananas fresh from the Continent. The foliage effect of these plants is exceptional. Bananas are quick growing plants, and they will grow under the right conditions of warmth and humidity in the home, too.

To keep your banana plant happy, polish the leaves and feed the roots once a week. Don't let the plant contract leaf burn from being too much in the sun, or too close to a radiator.

Looking Good:
Any day of the year it is possible to see bananas growing in the tropical Myerscough College Plant World in Lancashire.

Best With:
Banana looks good by itself in a pot, or in a border with tall Dahlia (Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff') or tall verbenas. See the article on creating an Exotic Garden for more ideas.