Care Guide | Guavas
Guavas are a tropical fruit plant that’s as tough as it is generous. It grows quickly, fruits reliably, and fills the air with a sweet, tropical fragrance when in bloom. A mature guava tree can produce dozens of round, aromatic fruits each season — perfect for fresh eating, juicing, or adding a sprinkle of chili and a squeeze of lime for a tropical treat.Whether grown in the ground in warm climates or in a container on your patio, guavas are adaptable and rewarding producers.
Characteristics
Guava plants are fast-growing tropical evergreens that thrive in USDA zones 9–11. They prefer warm temperatures, full sun, and well-drained soil. Guavas grow as multi-branched shrubs or small trees with smooth bark and oval leaves. Most varieties reach 10–20 feet tall, though they respond very well to pruning. Dwarf types can stay 4–8 feet tall, making them excellent for patios and containers. Guavas are reliable producers and benefit from regular fertilization.
Popular Varieties
| Variety | Scientific Name | Fruit | USDA Zone | Height | Pollinator Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbie Pink | Psidium guajava ‘Barbie Pink’ | Select cultivar, large fruit, pink flesh | 9–11 | 10-15 feet | Self-fertile |
| Strawberry Guava | Psidium cattleianum/littorale | Small fruit, red flesh | 9–11 | 8–15 feet | Self-fertile (improved with cross-pollination) |
| Tikal Guava | Psidium guajava ‘Tikal’ | Medium fruit, pink flesh | 9–11 | 6–10 feet | Self-fertile |
| Peruvian Guava | Psidium guajava | Large fruit, white flesh, mild taste | 9–11 | 10–20 feet (30-40 if unpruned) | Self-fertile |
| Feijoa (Pineapple Guava) | Acca sellowiana | Small fruit, cream-colored flesh | 8–10 | 8–12 feet | Self-fertile (improved with cross-pollination) |
Overview
🏷️ Scientific Name: Psidium spp. and Acca spp.
📊 Classification: Tropical evergreen fruit tree
📍 Origin: Central & South America
🗺️ USDA Hardiness Zones: 9–11 (Feijoa: 8–10)
📏 Height Potential: 10–20 feet (smaller with pruning)
🏡 Planting: Outdoors or containers
☀️ Light: Full sun
💧 Soil/Watering: Well-drained, moderately moist
🍴 Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizer (6-6-6 or 8-8-8)
✂️ Pruning: Annual shaping recommended
❄️ Cold Weather Care: Protect from frost
🍎 Fruiting and Harvesting: 1–3 years after planting
🕷️ Common Pests: Aphids, scale, fruit flies
🐈 Pet friendly? Yes
Scientific Name
Common guavas belong to the Psidium genus, most widely grown as Psidium guajava. Psidium guajava produces large, golfball or baseball-sized fruit and grow 10-20 feet high but are easier to maintain if kept around 6-8 feet. Psidium littorale (Strawberry/Cattley Guava) varies from the Psidium guajava varieties. Strawberry guavas have dark green, glossy leaves. They produce ping-pong sized fruit. Feijoa is often called pineapple guava because it highly resembles guavas in taste and growing conditions, but it is botanically different (Acca sellowiana).
Classification
Guavas are evergreen fruiting shrubs or small trees that produce fragrant white flowers followed by round to oval fruits. Most varieties are self-fertile, meaning one plant can produce fruit, though planting multiple trees can improve yields.
Feijoa differs slightly in growth habit, producing edible flower petals and egg-shaped green fruits with a pineapple-mint flavor.
USDA Hardiness Zones
Most guava varieties thrive in USDA Zones 9–11. Feijoa is slightly more cold-tolerant and can grow in Zone 8. Young plants are sensitive to frost and should be protected during freezes. If you live in a cooler climate, grow in a container so you can easily move indoors during cold snaps.
Height Potential
Guava trees typically reach 10–20 feet tall but are easily maintained at 6–10 feet with pruning. Feijoa grows as a dense shrub or small tree, usually 8–12 feet tall.
Planting
Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Space trees 8–12 feet apart when planting in the ground. If growing in a container, start small and gradually increase pot size.
Light
Guavas require at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for strong growth and fruit production. Insufficient light reduces flowering and yield. If you are growing indoors, supplement with grow lights.
Soil/Watering
Guavas need soil that is consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water more deeply during flowering and fruit development, but allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Established trees tolerate short dry spells but fruit best with steady moisture.
Fertilizer
During the growing season, feed every 4–6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer. Supplement with micronutrients if leaves yellow in sandy soils. Reduce feeding in cooler months.
Pruning
Annual pruning helps maintain a good size so you can more easily access the fruit. It also encourages branching, improves airflow, and increases fruit production. Guavas fruit on new growth, so light shaping encourages higher yields.
Cold Weather Care
Protect your guavas if temperatures drop below freezing. Use frost cloth or move container plants indoors. Feijoa tolerates brief dips into the low 20s°F once established, making it slightly hardier than traditional guavas.
Fruiting and Harvesting
Guavas typically begin fruiting within 1–3 years. Harvest when the fruit changes color (green to yellow or red depending on the variety), becomes slightly soft to the touch, and becomes strongly fragrant. Feijoa fruit often drops when ripe — collect promptly for best flavor.
Common Pests
Watch for aphids, scale insects, fruit flies, and whiteflies. Neem oil and proper airflow help prevent infestations.
Pet Friendly?
Guava plants are not toxic to pets. Fruit is safe in moderation, though overeating may cause mild digestive upset.
After Arrival Care
Please give your plant a little TLC after its journey through the mail 📬. Here are a few steps we recommend:
- Unwrap immediately to provide fresh air to the plant and soil.
- Wait a few days before exposing to full sunlight so your plant can adjust after being in a dark box for several days.
- Always protect from heat and cold because temperature extremes can be stressful or deadly for plants.
- Water. Your baby plant may be parched and even a little wilted but thorough hydration will help it recover.
- Grow out in a larger pot to increase your chances of success—i.e., a quarter gallon—Then transplant to the ground or the next pot size up once the roots fill to the bottom. This will help the plant get sufficient water and nutrients directly to the roots.
Learn more in our After Arrival Care Guide.
Repotting
We highly recommend growing your baby plant out in a larger pot 🪴 to increase your chances of success 🏆. Repotting helps focus the water and nutrients directly towards the roots. If the pot is too large or if your baby is planted in the ground, the water and nutrients have more room to spread to the wrong places where they aren’t needed. This can be extra detrimental to a baby plant that needs all the support it can get as it’s growing up. You don’t have to repot immediately, but the sooner you do, the more room it has to grow.
Here are some general repotting tips:
- Start with a pot that's 1–2 inches larger in diameter than the starter-sized pot it came in. A pint or quart would be great.
- Transplant to the next pot size up once the roots fill to the bottom.
Learn more in our Repotting Guide.
Grow Your Own Guavas
Start or continue growing your Guava collection.
Happy planting! 🪴