Ice Cream Banana Tree brings a tropical look and dessert-worthy fruit to patios and backyards. Also known as Blue Java, this fast-growing banana is prized for its sweet, vanilla-hinted flavor and soft, creamy texture. Broad, wind-dancing leaves create instant resort vibes even in small spaces.
Plants thrive in warm sun, fruit reliably with steady moisture and feeding, and stay manageable in large containers. Silvery blue fruit ripens to pale yellow, turning your summer and fall harvests into smoothies, splits, and freeze-and-eat treats the whole family will love.
Ice Cream Banana Tree Care
Give 6–8+ hours of direct sun. Plant in rich, well-drained soil amended with compost; ideal pH is 5.5–7.0. Water deeply and consistently to keep soil evenly moist, especially in heat; bananas dislike prolonged dryness. Mulch 2–4 inches to conserve moisture and buffer roots, keeping mulch a few inches off the pseudostem. Feed every 4–6 weeks during active growth with a high-potassium fertilizer (look for formulations for bananas or tropical fruit); supplement with compost in spring.
In windy sites, provide shelter to reduce leaf tattering. Remove spent flower stalks and cut back fruited pseudostems to the base after harvest; thin pups, keeping 1–2 strong offsets to renew the clump. Best outdoors in Zones 8–11 with protection from frost; in cooler zones, grow in a container and overwinter indoors in bright light above 50°F (10°C).
Ice Cream Banana Tree Spacing
Specimen: allow 8–10 ft of width and plant 6–8 ft from walls, paths, or other trees for airflow and access. Edible screen or grove: space 6–8 ft on center; thin pups annually to maintain density and fruit quality. Containers: start with a 20–24 in diameter pot at least 18–20 in deep with large drainage holes; use a chunky, well-draining mix and elevate on pot feet. Place outdoor containers in full sun with some wind protection; move indoors before nights drop below 45–50°F (7–10°C).
Why Grow Ice Cream Banana Tree?
- Creamy, vanilla-noted bananas perfect for fresh eating, smoothies, and desserts
- Fast growth and bold, tropical foliage for instant backyard impact
- Container-friendly with reliable fruiting when watered and fed regularly
- Cold-tolerant for a banana (compared with many types) and manageable in a range of warm climates
- Low pruning needs—remove fruited stems and select a few pups to keep the clump vigorous
Add a crowd-pleasing tropical accent that pays you back with unforgettable fruit. Plant Ice Cream Banana Tree where it gets sun and steady care, and enjoy lush foliage and sweet harvests in seasons to come.
- SKU:
- EDB-BAN-ICE-LGL
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations