Plant Profile: Musa balbisiana

Plantains are herbaceous perennial plants native to tropical Asia. They can rapidly reach heights of up to 18 feet, forming dense clusters of pseudo-trunks that may have a diameter of 15 inches. For optimal growth, they should be planted in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. However, they are not frost-resistant and will die back to the ground during winter in North Carolina.

To propagate plantains, division is the recommended method. In windy locations, the large leaves tend to become tattered.