Originally Posted by Lard Greystoke

I live in the soon-to-be-frozen Midwest, USA. I grow entirely indoors under fluorescent lights, with minimal window area. Space can be a problem.

Currently I have seedlings of M. ornata, E. superbum, Heliconia aemygdiana, H. psittacorum, H. rostrata, Ravenala madagascariensis, Strelitzia nicolai. I consider these all to be banana-similar, at least as regards foliage and general cussedness of germination. My first H. rostrata just came up 10 months after being planted. I think Strelitzia can stand underwatering and low humidity better than the others, and gives a similar tropical effect.

Banana types are definitely non-ideal for someone in my situation. Growing seedlings gives me considerable incentive to save my pennies and find more space before they push the ceiling out.