Banana 'Ice Cream' (Musa acuminata 'Ice Cream')

Banana 'Ice Cream' (Musa acuminata 'Ice Cream', also called 'Blue Java') is a dessert banana cultivar prized for its fruit that tastes remarkably like vanilla ice cream with a custard-like texture. A member of the Musaceae family, it's a favorite for home growers in subtropical zones.

Description

Herbaceous perennial (giant herb) 12–18 feet tall. Pseudostem formed by leaf sheaths. Leaves are large, paddle-shaped, 6–9 feet long, green with a silvery-blue cast (especially on petioles). Fruit bunches (hands) are 10–15 lbs; individual bananas are 5–7 inches, plump, with a silvery-blue peel ripening to pale yellow. Flesh is white, creamy, sweet, vanilla-flavored. Cold-hardier than many bananas.

Growing Conditions

• Zones: 8–11 (root-hardy to zone 7 with heavy mulch).
• Light: Full sun.
• Soil: Rich, deep, well-drained, high organic matter. pH 5.5–7.0.
• Water: Very high moisture; never allow to dry out. 4–6 inches/week.
• Temperature: Tropical/subtropical; growth stops below 50°F (10°C). Protect pseudostem in freeze.
• Wind: Shelter from strong winds—leaves shred easily.

Care & Maintenance

Heavy feeder—fertilize monthly with high-potassium formula. Mulch thickly. Remove dead leaves. After fruiting, cut pseudostem to ground; allow one strong sucker to replace. Protect fruit from birds/bats.

Uses

Fresh eating, smoothies, desserts, freezing. Ornamental tropical foliage. One of the best bananas for cooler subtropical areas.

Potential Issues

Banana weevil, nematodes, Panama disease, Sigatoka leaf spots. Wind damage. Requires abundant water and nutrients.

A delicious, cold-tolerant banana that truly lives up to its dessert name.