From Tony, the grower: I grow ice cream bean in my own Miami yard. The pods taste like vanilla ice cream and the tree feeds its own soil.
Ice Cream Bean Tree (Inga edulis) –
Discover one of the most delightful and surprising tropical fruits you can grow at home — the Ice Cream Bean! Also known as Pacay or Guaba, this fast-growing tree from the legume family produces long, velvety pods filled with sweet, fluffy white pulp that tastes remarkably like vanilla ice cream — no added sugar, no flavoring, just pure natural sweetness straight from the pod.
Why You’ll Love Growing Ice Cream Beans:
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Unique Flavor: The cottony, melt-in-your-mouth aril surrounding the large seeds has a creamy, fragrant vanilla taste that kids and adults go crazy for. Eat it fresh right off the tree for the ultimate backyard treat.
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Nitrogen-Fixing Superstar: As a member of the Fabaceae family, the Ice Cream Bean tree naturally improves your soil by fixing nitrogen — making it an excellent companion plant for your other fruit trees and a sustainable addition to any edible landscape.
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Fast-Growing & Productive: These trees grow vigorously, providing quick shade with their lush, umbrella-like canopy while delivering heavy crops of long pods (often 1–2 feet or more) in just a few years.
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Tropical Beauty: Beautiful pinnate leaves and striking white flower puffs make it an ornamental standout in subtropical gardens, patios, or container setups.
Perfect for USDA zones 10–11 and subtropical climates like Florida, the Ice Cream Bean thrives in full sun with well-draining soil. It’s relatively low-maintenance once established and adds both delicious edible value and ecological benefits to your home orchard.
At Giardino Fresco, we offer healthy, vigorous Ice Cream Bean plants ready to ship to your door with our Arrives Alive Guarantee. Whether you’re starting a tropical food forest or just want something fun and exotic for the backyard, this is a must-have rarity that never fails to impress.
Bring home the magic of nature’s own ice cream — order your Ice Cream Bean tree today!
Ice cream bean growing guide
Plant facts at a glance
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Botanical name: Inga edulis
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What ships: 1 gallon (14–20 in. listed)
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Mature size: A fast-growing tree, 30 ft or more. Easily pruned.
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Sun: Full sun.
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Water: Regular water.
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Cold hardiness / USDA zones: Zones 10–11. Damaged by frost.
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Time to fruit: Often 2–3 years.
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Taste and uses: The sweet, cottony pulp around the seeds is eaten fresh.
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Container vs. in-ground: Possible while young. It's vigorous, so the ground is better.
Care
- As a legume it fixes nitrogen and needs little fertilizer.
- Prune hard to keep it a manageable size.
- Eat pods fresh, because they spoil quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What does ice cream bean taste like?
Sweet, with a vanilla-like, cotton-candy texture.
How fast does it grow?
Very fast. Prune it yearly.
Is it cold-hardy?
No. Protect it from frost.
Are the seeds edible?
The pulp is the part that's eaten. Seeds are usually cooked if eaten at all.
Do you ship to my state?
Yes. Ships nationwide, with shipping calculated at checkout. Local pickup in Miami and delivery in Miami-Dade also available. Questions? Call or text Tony at 786-774-2125.
Results vary with climate and care.
Complete growing guide: Ice Cream Bean Growing Guide: Care, Pests and Harvest in South Florida
