Blue Java Banana Live Plant – Ice Cream Banana Tree – 1 Foot Tall, 6 inch Pot

Overview

Cultivate a taste of paradise in your own backyard with the remarkable Blue Java banana live plant. Also affectionately known as the “ice cream banana” or “Ney Mannan,” this unique fruit tree is celebrated for its incredibly sweet, vanilla-custard flavored fruit. Originating from Southeast Asia, the Blue Java banana is a fascinating addition to any garden, offering not just delicious fruit but also an intriguing visual appeal with its distinctive bluish-green skin when unripe. This robust and relatively cold-hardy variety makes growing Blue Java banana accessible to a wider range of gardeners than traditional bananas. Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or a budding enthusiast, this tropical gem promises a rewarding cultivation experience and a truly unique harvest.

Our Blue Java banana live plant arrives ready to thrive, carefully nurtured to ensure a strong start in your home garden. As it matures, you’ll witness the transformation from its characteristic blue-tinged skin to a creamy yellow when ripe, revealing the soft, vanilla-flavored pulp within. Embrace the joy of harvesting your own exotic fruit with this exceptional vanilla banana plant.

Key Benefits

The Blue Java banana live plant offers a multitude of benefits, from its unique fruit to its ornamental value, making it a highly desirable addition to your landscape or container garden:

• Exceptional Flavor Profile: The primary draw of the Blue Java banana is its unique taste. The fruit is renowned for its sweet, custard-like flavor with clear notes of vanilla, truly living up to its “ice cream banana” moniker. This makes it a delightful treat eaten fresh or used in desserts.
• Relatively Cold Hardy: Compared to many other banana varieties, the Blue Java banana live plant is more tolerant of cooler temperatures, thriving in USDA zones 8-11. This expands the possibilities for gardeners in regions that might otherwise struggle to grow tropical fruit.
• Ornamental Appeal: Beyond its delicious fruit, the Blue Java banana is an attractive plant. Its large, lush green leaves add a tropical aesthetic to any garden or patio, and the developing bluish fruit provides an interesting visual element.
• Homegrown Freshness: Enjoy the unparalleled satisfaction of harvesting your own fresh, organic bananas. You control the growing conditions, ensuring a healthy and chemical-free product, a significant advantage over store-bought alternatives.
• Versatile Growing Options: While it can be grown in the ground in suitable climates, the ice cream banana tree also performs well in large containers, making it suitable for patios, greenhouses, or even as an indoor plant in colder regions with adequate light.
• Nutritional Value: Like all bananas, the Blue Java variety is a good source of potassium, vitamins C and B6, and dietary fiber, contributing to a healthy diet.
• Conversation Starter: Its unique name and flavor make the Blue Java banana a fantastic conversation piece among friends and family, allowing you to share the joy of this exotic fruit.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Blue Java banana live plant is a rewarding experience that ensures a bountiful harvest of delicious fruit. To achieve optimal growth and fruit production, understanding its specific needs is crucial. This tropical fruit plant thrives in conditions that mimic its native warm, humid environment.

Sunlight: The Blue Java banana prefers full sun to partial shade, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and fruit development. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorch. If growing indoors, place it in the brightest possible location, ideally near a south-facing window, or supplement with grow lights.

Watering: These plants are heavy feeders and drinkers. Maintain consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil, especially during warm growing seasons. Water deeply when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Reduce watering slightly in cooler months or if the plant is dormant. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, which is detrimental to the health of your ice cream banana tree.

Soil: The Blue Java banana flourishes in well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal. Amend heavy clay soils with compost and sand to improve drainage, or add organic matter to sandy soils to enhance water retention and nutrient availability. Regular fertilization during the growing season is recommended to maintain soil health and support the rapid growth of this vanilla banana plant.

Temperature and Hardiness: This variety thrives in warm temperatures, ideally between 75-85°F (24-29°C). It is relatively cold-hardy for a banana, tolerating temperatures down to about 20°F (-6°C) for short periods, especially if mulched heavily. It is best suited for USDA hardiness zones 8-11. In colder zones, it can be grown in containers and brought indoors during winter or treated as an annual. Protect from strong winds, which can shred the large leaves.

Fertilization: Bananas are heavy feeders. During the active growing season (spring through fall), fertilize regularly every 2-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer high in potassium. Organic options like compost tea or well-rotted manure can also significantly benefit your growing Blue Java banana. Reduce or cease fertilization during cooler, dormant periods.

Pruning and Maintenance: Remove any dead or damaged leaves as they appear. Once a stem has fruited, it will die back. Cut it down to the ground to allow new suckers (pups) to emerge and develop, ensuring continuous fruit production. Manage suckers to maintain 1-3 main fruiting stems at a time for best results.

Size & Details

This Blue Java banana live plant is typically shipped at approximately 1 foot in height, measured from the base of the soil to the top of the foliage, and arrives in a 6-inch nursery pot. This size provides a robust young plant ready for transplanting into a larger container or directly into your garden. When mature, an ice cream banana tree can reach heights of 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) with a spread of 6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters), depending on growing conditions and climate. It exhibits a moderate to fast growth rate, with fruit production typically occurring within 18-24 months under ideal conditions. The fruit itself is medium-sized, measuring about 4-7 inches long. It is important to note that the plant’s ultimate size and fruiting timeline can vary based on care, soil quality, and environmental factors, making growing Blue Java banana a dynamic and rewarding experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This Blue Java banana live plant typically ships at about 1 foot tall in a 6-inch pot. When mature, it can reach heights of 10-15 feet in favorable conditions, making it an impressive tropical fruit plant.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The ice cream banana tree can be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 8-11. In colder climates, it can be grown in large containers and brought indoors during winter or cultivated in a greenhouse.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: Your Blue Java banana live plant requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Full sun is preferred for optimal growth and fruit production, though some afternoon shade in very hot regions can be beneficial.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: While it requires consistent watering and feeding, the Blue Java banana is considered relatively straightforward to care for if its basic needs for sun, water, and nutrients are met. It’s a good choice for those interested in growing Blue Java banana.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive healthy and well-packaged, ready for transplanting. We take great care to ensure the safe delivery of your vanilla banana plant to your doorstep.
• Q: How long until it produces fruit? A: Under optimal growing conditions, a Blue Java banana plant typically begins to fruit within 18-24 months of planting. Patience is key when cultivating this delicious tropical fruit plant.
• Q: What’s the best soil type for this banana? A: The Blue Java banana live plant thrives in rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Amending with organic compost will greatly benefit its growth.
• Q: Can I grow this plant in a pot? A: Yes, the Blue Java banana can be successfully grown in a large container (at least 15-20 gallons) if you live in a colder climate or have limited garden space. This makes it easier to move indoors during winter.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This variety is hardy in USDA Zones 8-11. In Zone 8, it may require winter protection like heavy mulching, or it can be grown in a container and brought indoors. For zones colder than 8, indoor cultivation is recommended.
• Q: What does the fruit taste like? A: The fruit of the ice cream banana tree is famous for its creamy texture and sweet, vanilla-like flavor, often compared to vanilla ice cream or custard.