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Banana Lily

Banana Lily is a unique bulb plant with distinctive “banana‑shaped” tubers and bright green leaves that instantly add character to any freshwater aquarium. This Banana Lily makes a perfect foreground to mid‑ground focal point, producing both underwater leaves and, over time, floating pads that give your aquascape a natural, pond‑like feel.

$12.00

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PRODUCT Details

Banana Lily is a striking aquarium plant named for the cluster of swollen, banana‑like tubers at its base. These tubers store nutrients and give the Banana Lily its iconic look, making it a real eye‑catcher in planted tanks and nature aquascapes.
Once established, Banana Lily produces rounded or slightly heart‑shaped leaves on short stems close to the substrate. In good conditions, it may also send up longer stems with floating leaves, creating a beautiful contrast between underwater foliage and surface pads.

Key Features of Banana Lily

  • Distinctive “banana” tubers
    The swollen tubers at the base of the Banana Lily look like a cluster of bananas and make this plant instantly recognisable.
  • Foreground to mid‑ground focal point
    Plant your Banana Lily near the front or mid‑ground of the aquarium so the tubers and leaves are clearly visible.
  • Underwater and floating leaves
    With time and good care, Banana Lily can produce both submerged leaves and floating pads, adding depth and variety to your layout.
  • Perfect for natural‑style aquascapes
    The combination of bulb, leaves and surface pads makes Banana Lily ideal for nature, biotope and “pond‑in‑a‑tank” style aquariums.

Care Requirements for Banana Lily

  • Lighting:
    Banana Lily grows well under low to moderate lighting. Stronger light can encourage faster growth and more compact leaves, but very intense light may require more frequent trimming of floating pads to prevent shading.
  • Water conditions (general guide):
    • Temperature: around 20–28°C
    • pH: roughly 6.5–7.8
    • Suitable for most standard freshwater community aquariums
  • Nutrients and substrate:
    The tubers of the Banana Lily store nutrients, but the plant still benefits from a nutrient‑rich substrate and/or root tabs placed nearby. Regular use of a quality liquid fertiliser will support healthy growth and leaf colour.

How to Plant Banana Lily

When adding Banana Lily to your aquarium:
  1. Place the tubers on top of the substrate or only very lightly buried.
  2. Do not fully cover the “banana” tubers, as this can cause them to rot.
  3. Allow the roots to grow down into the substrate naturally.
Given time, your Banana Lily will anchor itself and begin to send out new leaves. If floating leaves start to shade too much of the tank, simply trim them back to encourage more submerged growth.

Aquascaping Uses

  • Use Banana Lily as a standout specimen in the foreground or mid‑ground.
  • Combine with driftwood, rocks and carpeting plants to create a natural, pond‑edge look.
  • Floating leaves can provide shade and cover for shy fish and shrimp, while also breaking up light at the surface.
Because Banana Lily is relatively undemanding, it’s a great choice for hobbyists who want something a bit different without needing high‑tech equipment.

Compatibility and Tank Mates

Banana Lily is safe with most peaceful community fish, shrimp and snails. Avoid large plant‑eating species that may damage the leaves or disturb the tubers. In shrimp tanks, the leaves and roots provide extra surface area for biofilm and micro‑organisms, making Banana Lily both attractive and functional.

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