How to Grow and Care for an Ice Cream Banana
A practical guide to successfully growing the Ice Cream Banana, from understanding its needs to enjoying its famously creamy, vanilla-like fruit.
The Ice Cream Banana, known more formally as the Blue Java, is a unique plant prized for a taste and texture reminiscent of vanilla custard. This banana variety originates from Southeast Asia and has large, silvery-green leaves and fruit that is a powdery blue-green before it ripens. Its fast-growing nature and distinctive flavor make it a popular choice for gardeners. While a tropical plant, its relative hardiness allows it to be grown in a range of environments with proper care.
Ideal Growing Conditions
For best growth and fruit production, the Ice Cream Banana requires a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. If growing the plant in a container, placing it near a south-facing window is an effective way to meet its light requirements. Without sufficient light, development can be stunted, and it may fail to produce the flower stalk for fruit. A site that offers some protection from strong winds is also beneficial, as they can shred the large leaves.
The plant thrives in fertile, organically rich soil that drains well. A loamy or sandy loam soil is ideal, with a pH in the slightly acidic to neutral range of 5.5 to 7.0. Before planting, amend the ground with compost or other organic matter to improve fertility and drainage. For container planting, use a high-quality potting mix enriched with compost.
Consistent moisture is important for these thirsty plants, especially during the active growing season. A general guideline is to water deeply about once a week for established plants, increasing frequency during hot weather. For younger plants or those in containers, watering two to three times per week is necessary. Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch to keep roots moist but not waterlogged, which can lead to root rot.
As a tropical plant, the Ice Cream Banana prefers warm temperatures and high humidity. The ideal temperature range for robust growth is between 75°F and 95°F (24°C to 35°C). It is relatively cold-hardy for a banana plant and can survive brief temperature drops to around 20°F (-7°C), though frost will damage the leaves. This makes it suitable for growing outdoors year-round in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. Gardeners in colder zones should grow it in a container that can be moved to a protected location.
To support its rapid growth and fruit production, regular fertilization is needed as these plants are moderate to heavy feeders. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer is a good option for providing steady nutrients. Some growers prefer a fertilizer slightly higher in potassium, which supports flowering and fruiting. Fertilize about once a month during spring and summer, reducing frequency as growth slows in fall and winter.
Planting and Sizing Considerations
When selecting a location, account for the plant’s mature size. An Ice Cream Banana can reach 15 to 20 feet with a substantial spread, requiring ample space. Planting in a container will constrain its size, but you should select a large pot at least 20 inches wide and deep. This size ensures the plant has enough soil volume to stay hydrated and nourished.
Whether planting in the ground or a container, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but just as deep. Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with amended soil, tamping it down to remove air pockets. Water the newly planted banana thoroughly to help it settle and establish a strong root system.
The plant grows from a central rhizome, or corm, and produces offshoots known as suckers. For optimal fruit production, it is recommended to limit the plant to three or four main stalks of varying ages. The oldest stalk flowers and fruits, while younger stalks develop to become fruiting stalks in subsequent seasons. Removing weak or excess suckers directs the plant’s energy toward the main stalks.
Fruiting and Harvesting Your Bananas
Patience is needed when growing Ice Cream Bananas, as it can take 15 to 24 months after planting for the plant to produce its first fruit. The plant is monoecious, meaning a single plant contains both male and female flower parts, so only one is needed for a harvest. The process begins with the emergence of a large, purplish, teardrop-shaped flower bud which reveals rows of bananas.
The unripened bananas have a powdery, blue-green peel, which is the source of the “Blue Java” name. This color is the primary indicator of immaturity. As the bananas ripen, their peel transitions from this bluish hue to a pale yellow, signaling they are ready to be harvested. The entire bunch, or “hand,” can be cut from the stalk with a sharp knife once the first few bananas show this color change.
Once harvested, the bananas can be left at room temperature to continue ripening for up to a week. The flesh is sweet and creamy with distinct notes of vanilla, leading to its “Ice Cream” moniker. The taste is that of a very sweet, aromatic banana with a uniquely soft, fluffy texture. This distinguishes it from common grocery store varieties.
Overwintering Your Ice Cream Banana
For gardeners outside USDA zones 8-11, winter protection is necessary. If your banana is planted in the ground where frosts occur, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to insulate the rhizome. After the first frost kills the leaves, you can cut the main stalk down to about two feet. Surrounding the remaining stalk with a wire cage filled with straw or leaves provides additional insulation.
For plants in containers, move them indoors before the first frost to a garage, basement, or other sheltered area with indirect light. When bringing the plant indoors, reduce some foliage to manage its size and prepare it for dormancy. Watering should be reduced significantly during winter, just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely.
When warmer weather returns and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F, remove the protective mulch from outdoor plants. Container-grown plants can be gradually reintroduced to the outdoors. Trimming any remaining dead foliage will stimulate fresh, new growth for the upcoming season. The underground rhizome will send up new shoots, allowing the plant to regrow.