The Banana Tree, scientific name Musa, is one of the most popular trees around the world because of its fruit called “banana”. It is not only used to grow bananas, but also to give landscapes or indoor space a tropical feeling. It is also technically not considered a palm tree.
Hey plant lovers! I’ve been obsessed with tropical vibes lately, and I know many of you want that exotic banana tree look without actually growing real banana trees. Today, I’m super excited to share my favorite plants that can give you those gorgeous tropical feels!
Why Choose Banana Tree Look-Alikes?
Let’s be real – actual banana trees can be pretty demanding and don’t always work in every space, Here’s why these alternatives are awesome
- Perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces
- Many are easier to maintain than real banana trees
- Give you that same lush, tropical appearance
- Some varieties are more cold-hardy
- Great options for smaller spaces
Top 13 Plants That Look Like Banana Trees
1. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
This stunning plant is probably my favorite banana tree alternative! Here’s what makes it special:
- Beautiful gray-green leaves
- Grows from underground rhizomes
- Produces unique orange and blue flowers
- Blooms throughout the year
- Perfect for bright, sunny indoor spots
Care Tips: Keep soil moist but well-drained, maintain temps between 55-65°F at night
2. Giant White Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)
The big brother of regular Bird of Paradise! Key features:
- Can reach up to 25 feet tall
- Massive gray-green leaves (up to 6 feet long!)
- White flowers with blue accents
- Creates dramatic tropical impact
3. Red False Banana (Ensete ventricosum)
This one’s a real head-turner with:
- Huge paddle-shaped leaves
- Greenish to purple-red foliage
- Can grow up to 20 feet tall
- 4-foot wide leaves
4. Crane Flower Plant
Another gorgeous option that offers:
- Large gray-green leaves
- Unique orange and blue blooms
- Year-round flowering potential
- Perfect for containers
5. Hanging Lobster Claw (Heliconia Rostrata)
Y’all gonna love this one:
- Grows to 7 feet indoors
- Downward-facing flowers
- Attracts hummingbirds
- Available in green, yellow, and pink
6. Metallica Palm Tree
A smaller but equally impressive option
- Beautiful metallic blue-green shine
- Perfect for small spaces
- Tolerates low light conditions
- Slow-growing and manageable
7. Sterling (Dieffenbachia ‘Sterling’)
This beauty offers:
- White-veined foliage
- Grows to about 3 feet
- Low-maintenance
- Great for indoor settings
8. Cigar Calathea
A unique choice featuring:
- Purple undersides
- Leaves that move with day/night cycles
- Colorful patterns
- Waxy red flowers
9. Dumbcane
Perfect for indoor spaces with:
- Speckled leaves in various colors
- Exotic appearance
- Moderate light requirements
- Easy care needs
10. Leopard Lily
Features include:
- Cream and yellow patterns
- Large variegated leaves
- Perfect for humid environments
- Striking appearance
11. Ruffled Fan Palm
A distinctive choice with:
- Wavy, corrugated leaves
- Rich green color
- Unique fan-shaped fronds
- Compact growth habit
12. Hardy Banana Plant
Great for colder regions:
- Fast-growing
- White/golden flowers
- Decorative fruits
- Cold-tolerant
13. Dwarf Banana Tree
Perfect for smaller spaces:
- Compact growth
- Quick-growing
- Wind-resistant
- Produces actual bananas
Care Tips for Banana Look-Alike Plants
To keep your tropical beauties happy:
- Light Requirements:
- Most need bright, indirect light
- Some can handle direct sun
- Avoid harsh afternoon sun
- Watering Needs:
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Don’t let roots sit in water
- Reduce watering in winter
- Temperature:
- Most prefer 70-80°F
- Protect from cold drafts
- Some need higher humidity
Common Problems and Solutions
Watch out for:
- Yellow leaves: Usually means overwatering
- Brown edges: Low humidity or too much direct sun
- Pest issues: Check regularly for spider mites and mealybugs
- Growth problems: Ensure proper light and nutrients
Where to Place These Plants
I’ve found these spots work best:
- Living rooms with bright windows
- Covered patios
- Conservatories
- Office spaces
- Bathroom (for humidity-loving varieties)
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re working with a small apartment or a spacious garden, there’s definitely a banana tree look-alike that’ll work for your space! These plants bring that tropical paradise vibe without the hassle of growing actual banana trees.
Remember, the key to success with any of these plants is understanding their specific needs and providing the right care. Start with one that matches your experience level and growing conditions, and you’ll be on your way to creating your own indoor jungle!
Have you tried growing any of these banana tree alternatives? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Note: Some of these plants might be toxic to pets or children, so always research before bringing new plants into your home.
Banana Palm Tree Info
Scientific name: Musa
Common names: The Banana Palm is commonly known as Banana Tree, Plantain Tree, and Plantain Palm.
Family: Musaceae
Origin: The Banana Palm Tree is native to Southeast Asia.
Appearance: This fast-growing palm has large green leaves that measure 4-6ft long and 2ft wide. Leaves are attached to the trunk by short stems. The Banana Palm has a clustered, cylindrical collection of leaf stalk bases instead of the trunk.
Each palm has around 7-15 oblong leaves with leaf veins running from the mid-rib straight to the outer edge of the leaf. In the windy conditions leaves tear along the veins creating a feather-like look.
Flowers/Fruits: The inflorescence consists of a long-oval purple bud that grows above the last leaves in an upright position. As the bud opens, clustered white flowers emerge in whorled double rows along the floral stalk.
Unisexual flowers are followed by deep green fruits that turn yellow or red, depending on the variety, when they ripe. Fruits range from 3 – 12 inches in length and 1/5 -2 inches in width. Bananas start forming in the summer and are ripe till march of the following year. It takes fruits around 100-120 days to reach harvest maturity after the opening of the flower. Bananas are editable and have a sweet taste when ripe.
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast. Musa can get up to 10 – 20 ft tall and 1-5ft wide.
Outdoor/Indoor Use: Both. It is a great houseplant if provided with enough water and light
Cold Tolerance: Banana Palm is cold-hardy and can tolerate cold down to 15F. It is great for growing for USDA Zones 8b (15 to 20 F) to 11 (above 40 F).
Light Req: Full sun to partial shade.
Water Req: Moderate. It needs a moderate amount of watering but likes well-drained soil. It prefers acidic soil.
Maintenance: Easy. Apply good quality palm fertilizer that has continuous release formula twice a year during the growing season.
Insects and Diseases: The biggest problem for Banana Tree is Panama wilt. Otherwise, it doesn’t require a great deal of maintenance and with proper fertilizing should stay healthy.
Propagation: Banana Tree is propagated by pups.
12 Indoor Plants That Look Like A Banana Tree || Stylish Houseplants with Big Leaves
FAQ
What is the name of the plant that looks like a banana tree?
Botanical Name: Canna
Indian Shot is an eye-catching indoor plant resembling a banana tree. It can be planted in a group or as an accent in any room.
What is a false banana tree?
Enset or “false banana” is a close relative of the banana, but is consumed only in one part of Ethiopia. The banana-like fruit of the plant is inedible, but the starchy stems and roots can be fermented and used to make porridge and bread.