A bold tropical statement plant, this 15-inch Red Ensete Banana (Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii') arrives in a 10.1-gallon planter with blooming foliage ready to make an impression. Though not a true fruiting banana, it produces the same dramatic, exotic effect with enormous arching leaves featuring striking dark red stalks and red-tinged blades that give it its name. Native to the tropical regions of East Africa, this plant has become a favorite at Costco for its instant visual impact.

The Red Ensete grows 3 to 10 feet tall and thrives in full sun to part shade. It performs best outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, but can be overwintered indoors in a bright, sunny location in colder climates. It prefers fertile, humus-rich soil kept evenly moist, benefits from regular fertilization, and should be sheltered from strong winds that can tear the large leaves.

This plant excels as a breathtaking specimen or focal point, planted along fences and walls, used as a dramatic patio container plant, or massed to create instant tropical structure and form in the landscape. Pairs beautifully with canna lilies, Musa bananas, and other tropical-style plantings.