Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay) Inga edulis
Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay) (Inga edulis) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Fabaceae family, native to Andean foothills and Amazonia (Colombia to Bolivia and Brazil). It grows 8–20 m (26–66 ft) tall and 8–15 m (26–49 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 8–20 m (26–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–15 m (26–49 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: seed pulp (sarcotesta) |
| Native to | Andean foothills and Amazonia (Colombia to Bolivia and Brazil) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Is Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; the large seeds are only eaten cooked.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay)
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay)
- How far apart should I plant Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay)?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–15 m (26–49 ft).
- Does Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay) flower?
- From about July for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; the large seeds are only eaten cooked.
- What grows well with Ice-cream bean (guaba, pacay)?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Fruits of Warm Climates (Morton, 1987), Purdue University NewCROP
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Ribbed pods up to 1 m long hold seeds wrapped in sweet white pulp like cotton candy; widely planted as a nitrogen-fixing shade tree over coffee and cacao, and in alley cropping.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis