Pineapple guavas, otherwise known as feijoa or Acca sellowiana, are subtropical plants well-suited to backyards in warmer climes (hardiness zones 8-10). Their evergreen leaves offer year-round color and privacy, while their red-centered blooms brighten the springtime landscape. If conditions are right, they also produce fruit, which is green, fragrant, and sweet.
Pineapple guavas are relatively low-maintenance trees and shrubs, being slow-growing and somewhat drought-tolerant once mature. But, like all plants, providing optimum conditions will encourage them to perform at their best.
I turned to plant-care professionals to find out how to care for these South American natives. Below, they share their practical tips on watering, pruning, harvesting, and more to help your fruit tree flourish.
Growing habits for pineapple guava plants
Pineapple guavas can be planted straight into the ground in suitable climates, where they make attractive specimen trees or hedging plants, reaching heights of around 15 feet.
Due to their slow growth rate and forgiving nature towards repeated prunings, Amy Enfield of ScottsMiracle-Gro notes how they are also good candidates for larger containers. ‘This is especially beneficial if you’re trying to grow a pineapple guava in parts of the country with prolonged cold winters,’ she adds. ‘Your plant will need to overwinter indoors, or someplace protected from extreme cold, if you want it to survive the winter.'
They tend to flower in late spring or early summer, and then produce fruit which ripens in the fall into early winter. According to Amy, these fruits are described as having a sweet yet tart flavor with hints of pineapple, guava, banana, mint, and mango all wrapped into one. The flower petals are also edible, she adds, and make a delightful addition to salads.
You can buy pineapple guavas from Nature Hills.
Growing guide for pineapple guava plants
Soil: According to Linda Vater of Southern Living® Plant Collection, pineapple guavas need rich, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil. If you have poorly-draining soil in your backyard, Amy recommends amending it with organic matter, such as aged compost. Alternatively, grow your plant in a pot, using a suitable soil for container growing.
Light: Amy says, ‘As long as the temperature is moderate in the summer (ie., no prolonged periods above 90°F), pineapple guava thrives in full sun.’ However, where temperatures readily exceed 90°F, she notes that the plants benefit from light shade during the afternoon to help shield them from excessive heat. They need at least six hours of sunlight each day for the best fruit set, she adds.
Watering: ‘Pineapple guava is drought-tolerant once established, but fruit production will be best with consistently moist (not soggy) soil,’ says Linda. Amy recommends watering your plant whenever the top one to two inches of soil are dry. ‘Container-grown pineapple guava will need to be watered more frequently than plants growing in-ground,’ she says. ‘Be careful not to overwater your plant – constantly wet soil can lead to root rot and ultimately plant death.’
Fertilizing: Amy recommends fertilizing pineapple guavas about twice a year, once in early spring and again in early fall, using a slow-release fertilizer. ‘Consider using Miracle-Gro® Shake ‘n Feed® Flowering Trees & Shrubs Plant Food [available from Amazon] which is ideal for flowering and acid-loving plants (pineapple guava falls into both categories).’
Pruning: According to Linda, pruning can be beneficial to control size and shape and remove suckers growing up from the ground. ‘The best time to prune is after fruiting or late winter or early spring,’ she says. Be sure to use clean and sharp pruning shears or loppers to help maintain the health of your shrub.
This plant from Flora's Market comes in a three-gallon pot, with fertilizer, planting mix, and a planting guide included alongside.
FAQs
How do you prepare a pineapple guava for winter?
‘In areas that might experience short periods of temperature drops below 15°F, some protection will be needed,’ says Amy. She recommends placing the plants near a wall (like the south side of your house) or a fence to help protect them from cold winter winds. ‘You can also wrap your pineapple guava plant in burlap or a frost cloth to help protect it from a cold snap,’ she adds.
She also suggests applying a generous layer of mulch around your plant during the cold months. This will help keep the heat in the soil longer, protecting the roots.
How do you know when a pineapple guava is ready to harvest?
'Pineapple guava fruit stays green when ripe, so the best way to make sure the fruit is ripe when harvested is to wait for it to fall off the plant,' says Amy. 'A ripe fruit will smell sweet even before you cut into it.'
Are pineapple guavas self-fertile?
Some varieties of pineapple guava are considered self-fertile (such as 'Coolidge'), meaning you only need one tree to produce fruit. However, in general, planting two different varieties close together for cross-pollination will increase your chances of a healthy crop.
‘It may take three to four years for your pineapple guava plant to be mature enough to produce flowers and set fruit,’ Amy notes.
If you're interested in growing more tasty, tropical fruits at home, you might find inspiration within our guides on how to grow a mango and how to grow a pineapple.
