Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’

Mountain forests and river margins in eastern Africa

Ensete ventricosum grows wild from Ethiopia through eastern and south-central Africa to northern South Africa. It is found in high-rainfall mountain forest, wooded ravines, along riverbanks and beside swamps, at elevations of about 1,400 to 3,100 m.

The red-leaved form ‘Maurelii’ is linked to Ethiopia. It was named after J. Maurel, who brought it to the attention of French horticulture.

High-rainfall mountain forest, ravines and river margins keep Ensete ventricosum supplied with moisture throughout active growth. These open, wet habitats also leave ample air moving around its broad leaves.

Care for broad-leaved tropical growth

• Propagation: Commercial plants are usually cloned by tissue culture. Seed-grown plants vary, and home corm propagation is difficult.
• Light: Give it the brightest position available, including direct sun after acclimation.
• Watering: During active growth, keep the root ball evenly moist but never waterlogged.
• Substrate: Use a fertile, open mix that holds moisture while still draining freely.
• Temperature: Warmth drives growth; protect it from chilling temperatures and away from cold draughts.
• Humidity: Moderate humidity helps reduce dry edges on the large leaves.
• Feeding: Feed at a moderate dose while new leaves are expanding rapidly, then reduce the amount as growth slows.
• Repotting: Move it into a larger pot when roots fill the container or the plant dries unusually fast.
• Winter: Give maximum light and reduce watering and feeding as growth slows.

Common problems with Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’

• Brown, crisp leaf edges: Check the root ball and leaf position. A dry root ball points to missed watering; a white crust on the substrate points to salt build-up; damage limited to the side facing a heater points to hot, dry airflow. Water thoroughly, flush salts or move the plant according to the visible cause.
• Clean tears through the leaf blade: Large leaves split along their veins after handling or persistent strong airflow. This is mechanical damage rather than disease, and a mostly green leaf can remain until it naturally declines.
• A soft or collapsing central spear: Check both temperature and root moisture promptly. A wet root ball together with a soft pseudostem suggests root or crown rot, while a dry root ball and otherwise firm pseudostem indicate severe thirst. Keep the plant warm and correct the matching moisture problem.
• Fine webbing or pale stippling: Inspect both leaf surfaces with a bright light, especially beside the midrib. Fine webbing and many tiny pale dots indicate spider mites Isolate the plant, rinse the leaves and repeat a product labelled for mites as directed.

Keep Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

About the names Ensete ventricosum and ‘Maurelii’

Ensete comes from an Ethiopian vernacular name for the plant. Ventricosum means swollen or pot-bellied, referring to the thick pseudostem. ‘Maurelii’ honours J. Maurel, who brought the red-leaved form to wider horticultural attention.

Paul Fedorowitsch Horaninow established the genus Ensete in 1862 in Prodromus Monographiae Scitaminearum, page 40; James Bruce had proposed the name.

Friedrich Welwitsch first described it as Musa ventricosa in 1859 in Annaes do Conselho Ultramarino, Parte não Official, volume 24, page 587. Ernest Entwistle Cheesman later placed it in Ensete as Ensete ventricosum in 1948 in Kew Bulletin, volume 2, page 101.