Banana plants Musa spp. are classic tropical foliage plants, small to medium trees often planted in sunny patios for their lush leaves and exotic flair. Of course, the trees can also produce the colorful and popular banana fruit. Some species, like the ice cream plant Musa acuminata x Musa balbisiana 'Blue Java', offer both splendid paddle-shaped leaves and sweet, melt-in-your mouth fruit. If you live in a warm region, you might want to add ice cream banana trees to your garden area for a touch of tropical allure. These plants are a fantastic addition to any food garden, but theyre pretty amazing even if you just want a tropical paradise in your yard. The flower is astounding, and the fact that you get fresh fruit from it so much the better. Youll definitely want to provide full sun conditions for your banana trees. They prefer 8-12 hours of sunlight a day. While they can tolerate partial shade, they just wont grow as vigorously. So be sure your bananas get ample amounts of sunlight. All bananas love water. Youll find these tropicals to be thirsty! However, they dont tolerate standing water anywhere near as well. Ensure your soil is very well-draining and that it doesnt pool up around the plant during rain.