Big Floatingheart

A cluster of thick banana-shaped roots, located close to the leaves near the surface of the water. The Banana Plant has rounded leaves that have a notch at the base. They resemble small water lily leaves that can grow over a week or two. The leaves are green above and dull purple below in high light, and light green to yellow both below and above in low light conditions. It bears small white five-petalled flowers that arise from below the leaf. It is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants.

It is unusual in that it can be grown rooted or as a floating plant. It prefers a bright light and a tropical temperature range. It can be propagated from the runners that arise naturally or by dividing the rootstock. Although a perennial it is best replaced by new stock every 4 or 5 years. The rootstock should not be entirely buried in the substrate when planting. In the winter and in more shaded conditions, it forms submersed rather than floating leaves.