Ice cream bean (Inga ursi)
Care, watering, light and tips for Ice cream bean on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Fabaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 4 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Ice cream bean
Inga ursi, known as Guamo Cacho de Cabra (Goat's Horn Guamo), is a medium to large leguminous tree, valued for its curved pods resembling goat horns and its dense foliage. It's ideal for reforestation, agroforestry systems, or as a shade tree in tropical gardens. Its flowers are attractive and its fruits are edible.
Native range
Central and South America, from Southern Mexico to Brazil and Bolivia
Care tips
It prefers full sun for optimal growth and good fruiting, although it tolerates some partial shade. It requires regular watering in its young stages, especially during dry seasons, but once established, it is quite drought-tolerant. It needs well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, and adapts to a variety of soils as long as they are not waterlogged. Avoid soil compaction around its roots, as it can affect its development.
How to save a dying Ice cream bean
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or brown, wilting leaves; premature leaf drop; slow or no growth.
- First aid
- Check watering (moist but not soggy soil), sun exposure (prefers partial shade), and drain if waterlogged.
- What kills it
- Overwatering causing root rot, or extreme lack of water in young stages. Insufficient light.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted and the main trunk still shows life.