15 Plants That Look Like Banana Trees for Indoors and Outdoors

The lush, tropical foliage of the banana tree is iconic. Its large, elongated leaves unfurl in a graceful fan shape, evoking lazy days on a Caribbean island. While real banana trees require a subtropical climate to thrive, there are many banana look-alikes that let you achieve the same jungly effect in your home or garden.

These banana doppelgängers have similar broadly oval leaves but are often better suited to indoor growing. Their tropical style brings a bold exotic flair whether placed in an entryway living room, or conservatory. Read on for 15 plants that can pass for banana trees any day.

Indoor Plants That Look Like Banana Trees

These houseplants have leaves that resemble a banana plant even if they aren’t closely related botanically. Their lush supersized foliage makes a dramatic statement in any indoor space.

1. Abyssinian Banana

With burgundy-bronze leaves that can reach 6 feet long, the Abyssinian banana (Ensete ventricosum) is a stunning similarity to a real banana tree Although this plant won’t produce edible bananas, its enormous leaves lend a striking tropical look indoors

2. Banana Leaf Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia species are commonly called dumb canes. The Banana Leaf Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia ‘Big Ben’) lives up to its name with 2 foot long banana-shaped leaves marked with bold white splotches. It makes an easy, low maintenance houseplant.

3. Elephant Ear Philodendron

Heart-shaped leaves up to 3 feet long resemble elephant ears on this South American native. The Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendron domesticum) is an effortless indoor plant that can handle low light areas.

4. Traveler’s Tree

A close relative of the bird of paradise, the Traveler’s tree (Ravenala madagascariensis) unfurls banana-like leaves in a fan shape from a single trunk. Each leaf can reach 6 feet long on this statuesque houseplant.

5. Banana Shrub

Also called the curry leaf plant, the banana shrub (Michelia figo) isn’t a true shrub but a small, flowering tree. Grown as a houseplant, it reaches 6 feet tall at maturity with leaves up to 8 inches long that give it a banana tree look.

Outdoor Plants That Resemble Banana Trees

Add a taste of the tropics to your garden with these landscape plants that have leaves similar in shape to banana trees. They range from shrubs to trees to dramatic perennials.

6. Giant Bird of Paradise

A close relative of the indoor bird of paradise, the Giant Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) has huge banana-shaped leaves on this South African native. It can reach 30 feet tall in frost-free areas.

7. Japanese Fiber Banana

While it won’t produce edible bananas, the Japanese Fiber Banana (Musa basjoo) looks almost identical to a fruiting banana tree. Its trunk-like stem and 6 foot long leaves add drama to gardens in zones 6-10.

8. Traveler’s Palm

Another lookalike to the Traveler’s tree houseplant, the Traveler’s palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) is a tree that grows to 15 feet outdoors. Its fan-shaped leaves measure up to 12 feet long, resembling enormous banana leaves.

9. Garden Canna

Canna is a tropical perennial grown for its banana-like foliage and bright summer flowers. Varieties like ‘Tropicanna’ have striped, 5 foot long leaves that evoke combo plantings seen in the tropics.

10. Elephant Ear

Giant elephant ear plants like Alocasia and Colocasia have leaves up to 3 feet long that resemble their namesake. These tropical beauties come in green or black shades and love the heat and humidity outdoors.

11. Banana Trees

To get the true banana tree look, cold hardy banana varieties like the Japanese Fiber Banana, Basjoo, or Dwarf Cavendish can be grown in containers. Bring them indoors over winter in colder zones.

Similarities Between Banana Trees and Lookalikes

So what traits do all these plants share that give them a banana tree vibe?

• Large, elongated, oval-shaped leaves arranged in a fan or hand-like pattern emerging from a central stem

• Lush tropical look with broad, showy foliage often in green or purplish hues

• Tall, upright growth habit on thicker stems or trunks

• Preference for warm, humid conditions like the tropical areas banana trees originate from

• Great impact as focal point specimen plants; very bold and architectural

Tips for Growing Banana-Like Plants

To get these dramatic beauties to reach their full potential, provide the following care:

• Bright, indirect light indoors or full sun outdoors

• Warm temperatures between 65-80°F

• High humidity is adored by most varieties

• Rich, moderately moist soil that drains well

• Shelter from wind outdoors as large leaves are susceptible to damage

• Prune off dead leaves and stems to maintain a tidy appearance

• Fertilize regularly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer

• Monitor for pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids which can infest leaves

• Reduce watering in fall/winter for indoor specimens; cease watering for hardy outdoor types

Add a Tropical Flair with Banana-Like Plants

With their bold, supersized leaves that unfurl in graceful arcs, banana look-alike plants make a dramatic statement wherever they’re placed. They instantly evoke a tropical vibe.

Thanks to their similar foliage, plants like Giant Bird of Paradise, Elephant Ears, or Abyssinian Banana can effectively mimic real banana trees without the more intense growing requirements.

So don’t limit yourself to true bananas—explore all the possibilities with these exotic beauties that will bring a lush, jungle feel to your indoor and outdoor spaces.