How to propagate Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' by division

Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ is a monstrously sized plant that adds an exotic touch to any garden.
In this article I will show step by step how to propagate Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ (Red Abyssinian Banana Tree or Ethiopian banana) by division.

Leaf of Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' - Red Abyssinian Banana Tree or Ethiopian banana - www.dearplants.com — Leaf of Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ – Red Abyssinian Banana Tree or Ethiopian banana

This plant has large bright green leaves and the red of its veins and the underside of the leaves makes it a very decorative plant.

Underside of leaf of Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' - Red Abyssinian Banana Tree or Ethiopian banana - www.dearplants.com — Underside of leaf of Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ – Red Abyssinian Banana Tree or Ethiopian banana

It is a perennial palm-like plant that produces small (inedible) banana-like fruits.

In this article

How to grow Red Abyssinian Banana Tree

It must be grown in full sun or partial shade in an area sheltered from the wind that may destroy its leaves.
The soil must be rich in humus as they are greedy plants. Needs winter protection with temperatures below 5°C (41°F).

Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' in the garden during summer - www.dearplants.com — Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ in the garden during summer

In geographies with cold winters (as in my case), these plants are grown in pots so that they can be moved under cover in the cold months.
These types of plants – Ensete ventricosum, Agaves and even Strelitzia (Strelitzia reginae) – are moved to the garden, patio or terrace in the warm months where they create a dramatic, tropical effect.

Ensete propagation step by step

I’ve had this plant for a few years, and when I read about its propagation method, I had to try it, even though I knew I was risking a valuable plant.

Unlike other propagation methods, where the survival of the mother plant is assured, in this case, as you will see, we risk losing everything.

Let’s do it?

Dividing Ensete clump

It’s early spring and I’m going to get my Ensete from the shelter where she spends the winters.

Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii', the false banana tree, in the winter shelter - www.dearplants.com — Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’, the false banana tree, in the winter shelter

I cut the foliage.

Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' in early spring - www.dearplants.com — Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ in early spring

And remove the plant from the pot.

I take the plant from the pot - www.dearplants.com — I take the plant from the pot

With a very sharp knife I cut the aerial part of the plant as shown in the following images.

With a knife, I cut the Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii', Abyssinian banana - www.dearplants.com — With a knife, I cut the Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’, Abyssinian banana

I see that the interior of Ensete is healthy - www.dearplants.com — I see that the interior of Ensete is healthy

Aspect of Ensete after cutting the leaves - www.dearplants.com — Aspect of Ensete after cutting the leaves

With a shovel, I cut the root ball to the same size as the top.

I cut the roots of the Ensete to be the same size as the aerial part - www.dearplants.com — I cut the roots of the Ensete to be the same size as the aerial part

Now we can handle our plant easily.

With the same knife, I cut the Red Abyssinian Banana Tree clump, first into 2 parts. I cut exactly through the center of the plant.

I divide the plan by the center, making a clean cut in the Ensete - www.dearplants.com — I divide the plan by the center, making a clean cut in the Ensete

Two divisions of Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' - Red Abyssinian Banana Tree or Ethiopian banana - www.dearplants.com — Two divisions of Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ – Red Abyssinian Banana Tree or Ethiopian banana

I have two equal parts. Right now I could plant them, but I’m going to be ambitious and split even more.

I cut each half into two parts and get four parts of Ensete - www.dearplants.com — I cut each half into two parts and get four parts of Ensete

Four parts of Ensete to propagate - www.dearplants.com — Four parts of Ensete to propagate

I cut each half, again by the center, and I have four equal parts.

Trying cinnamon

At this point I decided to do one more experiment. I have been reading about the use of cinnamon in fungal prevention and even as a rooting hormone and decided to give it a try.

I test using cinnamon in two parts - www.dearplants.com — I test using cinnamon in two parts

I applied cinnamon in 2 parts, and left the other two without any treatment to see if that makes any difference.

Two parts Ensete with cinnamon and two parts without cinnamon - www.dearplants.com — Two parts Ensete with cinnamon and two parts without cinnamon

Planting each piece of banana tree

Then I planted every piece of my Ensete in a pot. You don’t need to use huge pots, it’s important that the compost used is fresh and that it drains well, to avoid fungus and rot.

Put each part in its pot - www.dearplants.com — Put each part in its pot

Water the pots

I watered each pot, put a label marking the pots with cinnamon and put it back in the greenhouse in a bright place.

Place the pots in the greenhouse, in a bright place - www.dearplants.com — Place the pots in the greenhouse, in a bright place

Ensete propagation results

After 6 weeks of inspecting the pots almost daily and guaranteeing that the compost doesn’t dry out completely, I’m starting to see signs that something is going on.

After 6 weeks the layers are opening - www.dearplants.com — After 6 weeks the layers are opening

The clump layers begin to open.

The layers of Ensete are separating - www.dearplants.com — The layers of Ensete are separating

And eight weeks later, a callus has formed, where new shoots will probably start to sprout.

8 weeks later, a callus formed is perfectly visible - www.dearplants.com — 8 weeks later, a callus formed is perfectly visible

10 weeks after the division, I can already see leaves emerging at the base of the plants… what a joy and, at the same time, what a relief!

10 weeks after the division, I can already see leaves emerging at the base of the plants - www.dearplants.com — 10 weeks after the division, I can already see leaves emerging at the base of the plants

Leaves emerging at the base of propagated Ensete plants - www.dearplants.com — Leaves emerging at the base of propagated Ensete plants

From here the temperatures are really heating up as we are approaching summer. I place the pots outside and the shoots grow quickly!

Saplings of false banana (Ensete 'Maurelii') growing from division - www.dearplants.com — Saplings of false banana (Ensete ‘Maurelii’) growing from division

Ensete 'Maurelii' shoots grow quickly in summer - www.dearplants.com — Ensete ‘Maurelii’ shoots grow quickly in summer

Did cinnamon make any difference?

At this point, 3 pots grown equally and one did not… the one that didn’t sprout was a cinnamon treated. This is not scientifically prove, but from this experience, at least I can say that cinnamon didn’t prove to improve anything.

One of the pots I used cinnamon in did not sprout - www.dearplants.com — One of the pots I used cinnamon in did not sprout

In the next update of this article, hopefully I will add the images of splitting the various shoots to individual pots… follow Dear Plants on social media to receive notifications of the update of this article.

Please use the comments section below to post any comments to this guide on how to propagate Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ (Red Abyssinian Banana Tree or Ethiopian banana) by division. Thank you!

How to propagate Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ by division

How to grow Red Abyssinian Banana Tree