How to Grow and Care for Pineapple Guava (Feijoa)

Pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana), also known as feijoa, is a tree or multi-stemmed shrub known for its guava-like edible fruits and silvery, oval-shaped evergreen leaves. It's not directly related to the common guava (Psidium guajava), though both fruits are in the myrtle family.

This slow-growing tree blooms with flowers that are pink, red, and white in spring, and its tropical-tasting fruits ripen in fall. Pineapple guavas require full sun, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture to thrive and bear fruit.

Here's how to grow this attractive fruit tree in your garden.

Pineapple Guava Care

• Plant in a spot with full sun and nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.
• Opt for a protected planting site to prevent damage from strong winds.
• Water the plant to keep the soil evenly moist.
• Fertilize pineapple guava trees twice per year.

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Light

Pineapple guava trees require lots of full sun to thrive—at least eight hours per day. In regions with very hot, dry summer weather, however, plant this tree in a site that gets some afternoon shade.

Soil

Plant pineapple guava in a site with rich, well-drained soil. This plant is tolerant of salty soils, making it a good choice for coastal sites. However, they're not tolerant of overly wet soils, so choose a site with excellent drainage.

If you're planting pineapple guava in a large container, amend the soil with additional perlite or coarse sand to enhance drainage.

Water

Water pineapple guava just enough to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy for the best fruit yield. These plants are considered drought tolerant once they're established, but extended periods of drought can negatively affect fruiting and flowering. Avoid overwatering to protect the plant from root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Pineapple guava prefers moderate temperatures and humidity but can withstand nighttime temperatures as low as 15°F in winter. The plant struggles at temperatures over 90°F.

Fertilizer

Fertilize pineapple guava with a balanced fertilizer that also contains secondary nutrients like magnesium and sulfur as well as micronutrients to support fruiting.

Feed the plant once in late winter or early spring and once in midsummer. Avoid fertilizing in fall or winter.

Types of Pineapple Guava

• Acca sellowiana 'Apollo': A self-fertile variety that produced late-ripening, medium-sized fruit with a somewhat gritty texture, 'Apollo' can also cross-pollinate with other pineapple guava varieties.
• Acca sellowiana 'Coolidge': Large, early-ripening fruits are a benefit of this self-fertile variety that's popular in cooler regions.
• Acca sellowiana 'Nikita': One of the earliest-producing cultivars, 'Nikita' is ideal for container plantings and small spaces due to its compact growth habit.

Pruning

Slow-growing pineapple guavas don't require heavy pruning to stay healthy. Instead, prune minimally to keep them contained in their space and shape plant growth. Unlike many fruit trees, fruit thinning is not required.

Propagating Pineapple Guava

It's possible to propagate pineapple guava by taking stem cuttings in the fall. Before you begin, gather sharp, sterilized pruners, fresh potting mix, and small plant pot, and rooting hormone powder. Here's how to propagate pineapple guava:

1. Remove a softwood cutting that's between 10 and 12 inches long and has several healthy leaves by making a diagonal cut just below a leaf node. Snip away any leaves from the lower half of the cutting.
2. Fill the container with potting mix, then moisten the growing medium with water. Make a small hole several inches deep.
3. Dip the bottom end of the cutting in rooting hormone powder, tapping it lightly against the container to remove any excess.
4. Plant the cutting in the hole, patting the soil gently to hold it in place.
5. Put the cutting in a warm place with bright sunlight. Keep the soil evenly moist.
6. After about two months, new leaf growth should appear, indicating that the cutting has rooted. At this point, the cutting can be transplanted into the ground or into a larger pot.

How to Grow Pineapple Guava From Seed

While it's possible to grow pineapple guava from seed, it's generally not recommended. The process is slow going, with at least four years until fruits appear from seed-grown trees.

In addition, pineapple guavas do not grow true from seed, so the resulting plants will be different from the parent plant, and the fruit may be low quality.

Potting and Repotting Pineapple Guava

Pineapple guavas make excellent container shrubs due to their slow growth. Use a pot with holes and potting mix with excellent drainage.

Fertilize container plantings twice each year, in the late winter or early spring and in high summer. When repotting, use a container that's only an inch or two larger than the previous pot.

Overwintering

Pineapple guava is winter hardy in zones 8-11, meaning it can withstand winter temperatures down to 15°F outdoors. In-ground plantings in colder areas of its hardiness zone can benefit from protective insulation, such as wrapping stems in burlap, filling the cavity with leaves, and adding a layer of organic mulch around the base to protect the roots.

In zones 7 and below, pineapple guava can be grown as a container plant and brought indoors for winter.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Pineapple guavas are pretty easygoing when it comes to pests and plant diseases. Keep an eye out for scale insects or fruit flies. Squirrels may eat fruits before they ripen.

How to Get Pineapple Guava to Bloom

Bloom Months

In spring, pineapple guavas bloom with showy, colorful flowers. Their edible fruits ripen in fall.

How Long Does Pineapple Guava Bloom?

Expect pineapple guava trees to bloom for one or two months.

What Does Pineapple Guava's Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Pineapple guava flowers have small pink and white petals about one inch across that surround a cluster of spiky red stamens. These edible blossoms have a sweet aroma and slightly tropical flavor.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Fertilizing pineapple guava trees in late winter or early spring can promote profuse blooms. Cover flowering trees with row cover or a thin sheet in case of late spring frosts. Giving the plant adequate light and water also promotes flowering and fruiting.

Common Problems With Pineapple Guava

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves on pineapple guava could indicate an issue with soil pH. These plants prefer neutral to slightly acidic soil. Amend the soil with an organic soil acidifier.

Falling Leaves and Small, Unripe, and Falling Fruit

Leaf drop coupled with undersized, unripe, or dropping fruit indicate that the plant isn't receiving enough water. Increase watering frequency so that the soil remains consistently moist but not soggy.

From: thespruce