Icecream Bean

Inga edulis, also called Ice Cream Bean, is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree famous for its long, velvety pods filled with sweet, cottony pulp that tastes like vanilla ice cream. It’s a favourite among permaculturists for its ability to shade, feed the soil, and fruit within just a few years. The tree grows fast and thrives in warm, wet climates, making it ideal for tropical to warm temperate gardens.

Features

Ideal prune height: 3–6 m

pH range: 5.5–6.8

Sun preference: Full sun

Minimum pot size by year 5: 50 L

Time to fruit: 2–3 years from seed or 1–2 years from graft

Harvest period: Late summer to early winter

Notable traits: Fast growth, nitrogen-fixer, edible pods, bee-attracting flowers

It thrives best in deep, loamy soils with plenty of mulch and consistent water while establishing. Prune lower branches early to shape a strong structure. Protect from frost in early years and give ample space to spread if planting in the ground.

Ice Cream Bean is a crowd-pleaser—great for food forests, kid-friendly gardens, or as a fast shade tree that gives back. The fruit is fun, weird, and delicious, and the tree improves your soil while doing it.

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