Musa velutina is a very slender species from North East India, very fast growing. This ornamental banana grows to about 6 feet tall. The plant will stay smaller if grown as a container specimen for cooler climates. Can be used in tropical cut flower arrangements. This ornamental banana produces pink/red bracts. Blooms appear year-round. Extremely quick to flower, can flower when only 3 feet in height. The small pink velvety bananas are about 3 inches long, with white pulp and small black seeds. They are edible and quite sweet, but also full of seeds. Leaves oblong, 1 meter long, 30cm wide, mottled in a green / wine pattern, pale with a dark red-purple midrib below. Hardiness zones 9-11, (4øC/40øF, -5øC/25øF) in Winter. During Summer, plants can be stood outside or planted into the border but will need frost protection in Winter. This species is cold tolerant and will survive even frosty Winters outside if heavily mulched. In Winter, reduce watering and be aware that leaf ends may brown, however this is perfectly normal. Very easy to grow. Grows in full sun with shade from hot direct burning sunlight. A smaller banana plant well suited for indoor use, since this is an excellent container-plant. Musa species enjoy a rich soil and regular applications of fertilizer during the Spring and Summer. Keep well watered during hot periods; do not let dry out between waterings.