Red Abyssinian banana | Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'

Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' is one of the boldest, most dramatically coloured foliage plants you can grow in the UK. Enormous paddle-shaped leaves emerge flushed with deep blood-red midribs and undersides, fading to a rich olive-burgundy above, creating an intensity of colour that makes most other garden plants look quite understated. This is tropical drama at its very best.

'Maurelii' produces huge leaves — reaching 1 to 2 m on well-grown specimens — with a striking two-toned character: deep red to maroon beneath and along the midrib, rich olive to bronze-green above. The midrib is particularly striking, running the full length of the leaf in a vivid scarlet that catches the light intensely. The overall effect is sculptural, bold, and unmistakably tropical — it reads as a statement from across the garden. Few plants bring this quality of colour combined with sheer scale. Against a white wall, alongside jungle-inspired plantings, or as a centrepiece in a large container display, 'Maurelii' is exceptional.

Ensete is a fast-growing, upright, clump-free plant — unlike true bananas it does not produce offshoots, growing as a single, increasingly dramatic specimen. At 80 cm in a 26 cm pot, this is a substantial young plant already showing its characteristic form. In a warm, sheltered, sunny spot during the British summer it grows remarkably fast, potentially reaching 2 to 3 m in a single season in ideal conditions. It is not frost-hardy and must be brought indoors or stored over winter in the UK.

Ensete 'Maurelii' loves warmth and sun. The most intense leaf colour and fastest growth comes from a sunny, sheltered, south-facing position. A large conservatory, a bright glass-house, or a sheltered patio in full sun are all ideal during the warmer months. It needs protection from temperatures below 5°C, so in the UK it is grown as a seasonal specimen outdoors from late spring to early autumn, then overwintered undercover.

Water generously during the growing season — this is a thirsty, fast-growing plant that benefits from regular, deep watering in summer. Feed every two weeks with a high-nitrogen liquid feed to encourage the fastest, most impressive leaf growth. Use a large, rich, well-drained compost. Before the first frosts, cut the leaves back and bring the plant inside to a frost-free location. It can be overwintered with minimal water in a cool but frost-free space. Protect the central growing point above all else.

Part of the pleasure of growing Ensete 'Maurelii' is the sheer speed and scale of it — the leaves seem to grow before your eyes in a warm British summer, and the colour never stops being surprising. Walking past that deep red midrib and those enormous paddle leaves is an experience. It transforms a patio from pleasant to genuinely spectacular, and it invites everyone who sees it to come closer and look properly.

• Extraordinary Leaf Colour: Deep red midribs and burgundy-toned foliage unlike anything else in the garden.
• Fast-Growing Statement Plant: Grows rapidly in a warm British summer to create immediate tropical impact.
• Bold Container Plant: Perfect as a centrepiece in a large patio container or courtyard display.
• Unique, Eye-Catching Specimen: Guaranteed to start conversations and earn genuine admiration.
• Indoor-Outdoor Versatility: Grows outdoors in summer, overwinters indoors with minimal fuss.

Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' is the plant for anyone who wants their garden to look genuinely extraordinary from June to October. Give it the warmth, the water, and the sun it deserves, and it will deliver something truly spectacular.

• Size at dispatch: 80 cm in height, and comes in a 26 cm pot
• Care level: Medium
• Pet safety: Non-toxic to cats and dogs. We still recommend discouraging pets from eating any plant.