Nymphoides aquatica - Banana Plant Bulb
Banana plant — unmistakable banana-shaped tubers, easy care
- Regular price
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£7.99 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£7.99
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Description
Nymphoides aquatica, the banana plant, is one of the most distinctive and unusual aquarium plants available. It takes its common name from the cluster of curved, banana-shaped storage tubers at its base — swollen green structures arranged like a bunch of miniature bananas that sit on or just below the substrate surface. From this extraordinary base, the plant produces circular lily-pad-like leaves and can eventually grow floating leaves and small white flowers above the waterline.
The banana plant is easy and adaptable. It grows in low to medium light without CO2 injection and tolerates a wide range of water conditions. The banana-shaped tubers are storage organs that must not be buried in substrate — the plant is placed on the substrate surface with roots anchoring naturally over time. It is one of the most frequently conversation-starting aquarium plants there is.
Do not bury the banana tubers. Simply place the plant on the substrate surface or rest it gently on a small stone — the roots will anchor naturally within a few weeks. Suited to aquariums of 30 litres and above. The banana cluster also makes this plant a great choice for tanks seen by non-hobbyists who want something genuinely unusual to look at.
Our Delivery Promise To You
We pack every order carefully at our UK facility and dispatch quickly, so your plants and aquarium products reach you in the best possible condition.
Order before 4pm Monday to Friday and we’ll dispatch the same day where possible. Most orders arrive within 1-2 working days.
If something goes wrong in transit, get in touch and we’ll help put it right.
This aquatic bulb plant arrives small but grows quickly, producing unique lily pads and leaves. Customers said it's "beautiful and unique" with fascinating roots. Most report fast, healthy growth in various tank setups. However, some noted extremely small initial size, with one calling it "miniscule" for the price. Easy to manage.
- Beautiful and unique plant. New leaves sprouted within days. My shrimp love it too.
- One stalk has grown about 15cm in the last 36 hours alone! Amazing growth.
- Fantastic plant. Looks great, grows well and leaves resist hungriest fish/shrimp!
J
There is small and then there is miniscule. This is definitely a plant that does not represent good value. The size of plant supplied and price charged would make it more valuable than gold .
J
Fast delivery & plant is in perfect condition and as described on the site.
C
Amazingly small, but actually adorable. Reminds me of Groot.
J
Great products, as described on website and arrived packaged really well.
Plants where pest free and in very healthy condition. Will be using aqua essentials again.
G
Really like these wee plants,not had them long but they have rooted and growing well in my low tech tank. One of them has just sent up a runner to the surface(20in.approx) with a lilly pad beginning to unfurl ????
A
excellent plant a very beautiful feature in my 50l scapers bio
A
I was delighed with my banana plants when they arrived with the rest of my order, they were in very good conditions with 1 plant having 3 leaves.and the other having 2 . I put 1 in the tank with my platy fry which like to swim in about it and the other went to the tank with their parents and my rice fish, look forward to see them settle and grow now . Will be looking to purchase more ?
S
I love this little plant hanging off of my bogwood, I lost two of my 3 leaves due to a couple of mishaps but it still seems happy and a new stem is starting to appear but very slowly. well worth having in your tank and my ottos and bristlenose catfish like to keep it clean with no damage.
J
this plant looks amazing and is easy to manage it makes and amazing impact in my tank and when ever people see it it instantly starts a conversation
J
the plant arrived healthy with a few new leaves growing on it already, its rooted quickly and is a brilliant \'odd ball\' plant in my jungle tank
K
I love this plant it looks great in my tank i wish i had got 4 but next time
J
Very nice!
The plant was Huge! Well the roots were but the plant had no leaves but I\'m sure they will grow back very nice a quick. Very please and will buy from again!!
M
planted it at first kept coming out.then my golden sucking loach pulled it up but now got planted again and its fine now
V
This is a beautiful and unique plant. Within days of receiving it, New leaves had started to sprout. It is probably one of my favourite plants in the aquarium. My shrimp love it to. The roots are fascinating. Buy one.
B
A fantastic plant. Looks great, grows well and the leaves are strong enough to resist the hungriest fish/shrimp!
E
I was surprised how small the plant was on arrival - no bigger than a large walnut, with 3 tiny leaves. I had read an encouraging review from someone who said their fish leave the plant alone. Sadly, our big goldfish has long since eaten the leaves, but, who knows, perhaps the plant will fight back, survive and thrive?
A
I am pleased to plant healthy, beautiful, thanks
A
execellent bulb, perfect conditions outstanding. thanks
M
Good strong plant with new shoots
P
great looking plant nice fresh tubers next day delivery thank you
P
growing really well
M
I love this plant for its uniqueness and unusual appearance. I think it was probably a mistake but I received one extra when ordering 2! so was able to add one to my 40L tank as well as having 2 in my 120L.
Thanks aqua essentials
S
Great plant for a tank with filter wich can be turned down as it likes full sun and still water.
h
Very healthy ! Growning so quick!
A
Have had mine in the tank (biOrb Flow 30L with intelligent LED where it's nestled in the original ceramic media) for a few weeks now and it has sprouted a few stalks/leaves in that time. One stalk has grown about 15cm in the last 36 hours alone! Amazing growth and great to see how it changes each day. I'm in London so my water's quite hard and it seems to be flourishing with daily slightly overdosed liquid carbon and fertilizer. Would definitely recommend!
K
Has already produced a new leaf. Really pretty plant.
A
Lovely little plant, and it's so reassuring to watch the pads grow daily to know it's settling.
C
Very unusual foreground specimen. Very healthy, and is now (after less than a fortnight)producing a new leaf stalk.
Common Questions
Why does it have banana-shaped lumps at the base?
The banana shapes are storage tubers — the plant stores nutrients in them. They are a completely normal and distinctive feature of this species.
Should I bury the banana tubers in the substrate?
No — never bury the tubers. Place the plant on the substrate surface and let the roots anchor naturally. Burying the tubers causes rot.
Does it need CO2 or specialist lighting?
No — it grows in low to medium light without CO2 injection. One of the easier unusual aquarium plants.
Will it produce floating leaves or flowers?
In an open-top tank, yes — the plant can eventually produce surface leaves and small white flowers, similar to other water lilies.
What tank size does it suit?
From 30 litres upward — it is compact enough for small aquariums and unusual enough to be a focal point in any tank.
