Siam Ruby Banana Musa ‘Siam Ruby’

Baby ‘Siam Ruby’ plants at Rush Creek Growers

10,000 years of banana cultivation in Papua, New Guinea produced a sport with the darkest red leaves of any banana yet discovered. Originally selling for more than $1500, ‘Siam Ruby’ was brought to the U.S. only three years ago and now you can have one for $14.

The foliage is a remarkable dark ruby with lime flecks and streaks, although it starts out chartreuse and develops more and more red as it matures and gets more sun. Each leaf has a surprising new pattern of red and green: some leaves are even half and half! Try Googling on Musa ‘Siam Ruby’ to see many photos of the different leaf markings when the leaves are mature.

A banana tree will easily overwinter as a houseplant in a sunny window or dormant in a cool dark basement.
8’ sun (A638, page 44)

These special bananas are literally not showing their true colors at the sale, but I have faith and I bought one! If you want ‘Siam Ruby’ be sure to look at its label because there are lots of Banana ‘Rowe Red’ (looking more obviously attractive….) right next to it.