Mangifera indica 'Ice Cream' (Ice Cream Mango)

Mangifera indica (Mango) is a large evergreen tree native to South Asia and among the oldest cultivated fruit trees, grown in India for over 4,000 years. In tropical climates it can reach 60-80 feet with a broad crown of glossy leaves. Small yellowish flowers appear in spring, followed by fleshy drupes known worldwide as mangoes.

Fruit shape varies from oval to kidney-shaped, with skin that may remain green or ripen to yellow, orange, or red. The flesh is juicy and aromatic, sometimes fiberless and sweet, sometimes more resinous depending on type. Mangoes are eaten fresh, dried, blended, or cooked, making them one of the most versatile tropical fruits. Some people experience irritation on the lips from the peel, so fruits are usually eaten peeled.

The tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil in warm climates, hardy only to USDA Zones 9-11. With hundreds of named cultivars, Mangifera indica remains one of the world s most widely grown and culturally important fruit trees.

See Mango varieties.

Mangifera indica 'Ice Cream' (Ice Cream Mango) is a rare and compact Florida variety prized for its exceptionally rich, creamy flavor and small, easy-to-manage tree size. The fruit is medium to small, slightly flattened, with smooth skin that stays mostly green even when ripe. As it matures, the color remains greenish to yellow-green with a light orange or red blush on the sun side. The skin often shows small dark lenticels. Inside, the deep orange flesh is fiberless, aromatic, and very sweet, with a dense, custard-like texture reminiscent of tropical ice cream.

Ice Cream performs best in warm, humid subtropical and tropical climates and is especially suited for home gardens and container growing due to its slow, dwarf growth habit. It fruits midseason, producing a modest but high-quality crop with outstanding flavor. Trees thrive in USDA Zones 10-11 and need protection from frost, with minimum tolerance down to about 30F.