Ice Cream Bean Tree

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8-10 Feet

Mature Spread

3-5 Feet

Growing Zones

9 to 11

Ice Cream Bean Tree serves up tropical flavor and fast shade in one gorgeous package. The long, velvety pods hold sweet, cottony pulp with a vanilla-like taste, while the feathery canopy cools patios and play spaces in a hurry. It’s a productive fruit tree that also looks fantastic year-round.

Grow it as a statement tree in warm climates or keep it container-sized on patios and sunrooms. Fragrant, puffy white flowers draw pollinators, and the tree’s naturally nitrogen-fixing roots help enrich the soil around it. With regular pruning and good light, it stays tidy and harvest-ready.

Ice Cream Bean Tree Care

Give 6–8+ hours of direct sun. Plant in fertile, well-drained loam amended with compost; aim for pH 5.5–7.5 and avoid waterlogged spots. Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry; keep evenly moist in heat, especially the first 1–2 years. Mulch 2–3 inches deep, keeping mulch a few inches off the trunk. Feed lightly in spring and midsummer with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (low to moderate nitrogen; the tree fixes its own).

Prune in late winter or after harvest to maintain height and open the canopy; tip-prune during the season to shape. Hardy outdoors in Zones 9–11; in cooler zones, grow in a container and move indoors before nights drop below 40°F (4°C). Typically self-fruitful, though cross-pollination can increase yields; expect pods in warm seasons once established.

Ice Cream Bean Tree Spacing

Specimen: allow 20–25 ft of width and plant 15–20 ft from buildings, pools, septic, or hardscape to accommodate roots and canopy. Screen/windbreak: space 12–15 ft on center and tip-prune for density. Containers: start with a 16–20 in diameter pot (14–16 in deep) with large drainage holes; upsize to 22–24 in as roots fill the pot.

Place outdoor containers 2–3 ft from sunny walls for airflow; indoors, set 1–2 ft from a south- or west-facing window and maintain 40–60% humidity. Stake young trees their first windy season; no trellis needed.

Why Grow Ice Cream Bean Tree?

• Sweet, vanilla-like pods that are fun to snack on fresh
• Fast-growing, filtered shade with soft, ferny foliage
• Container-friendly with regular pruning for patios and sunrooms
• Fragrant, pollinator-attracting blooms and a long warm-season harvest window
• Nitrogen-fixing roots that help enrich nearby soil in mixed plantings

Bring home the tropical tree that’s equal parts shade-maker and dessert station. With sun, moisture, and a bit of shaping, Ice Cream Bean rewards you with fast growth and unforgettable flavor.

SKU:

EDB-TRO-ICB-LGL