As if growing pineapple guava couldn’t get any easier… the fruit also self-harvests! Now, for the fun part. Just today I went to my local small nursery and purchased two (unknown variety) pineapple guava!! However, my friend has a thriving feijoa growing in Tennessee’s zone 7! Aim for consistently damp, moist soil – but not soggy! 1-877-353-4028 Call Us Today! Try a few at different stages to see what you like best! Prized for its foliage, flowers and fruit, Acca sellowiana (Pineapple Guava) is an evergreen shrub of rounded habit or small tree with handsome gray-green leaves, 1-3 in. Left unpruned, it can reach up to 15 feet tall and 15 feet wide. True to their slow-growing, easy-going nature, pineapple guavas grow willingly without heavy fertilizing. Your email address will not be published. To help the process along, or to harvest from a large fruit-laden plant, you could also set up a net, drop cloth, or tarp below the plant to catch falling fruit, and then give it a shake! The flowers are white and pink with red firework-like centers, and the white petals (sepals) around the outside of the flower are edible and delicious! ), I suggest giving your local nursery a call to see if they carry them. The plant is also commonly known as feijoa. Choose a large container with ample drainage holes and high-quality potting soil to promote healthy growth. Cattley Guava Ceylon Gooseberry Coffee Grumichama Guava Imbe Jaboticaba Kei Apple Limeberry Miracle Fruit Monstera Naranjilla Papaya Passion Fruit Pineapple Pitomba Surinam Cherry Asian Guava Zone 9b . To propagate pineapple guava, take an approximately 12-inch long wide cutting from young softwood branches near the bottom of the shrub. The moment you realize you're twinning your chard: FEEL GOOD GIVEAWAY CLOSED ✨ Congrats to @no, Throwback to when these jungle babes were bab, Blooming onions Yes, 'ideally' you'd har, Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, such as Amazon links. Pineapple guava grow best when moderate water is provided. It was a great year for spring fruit and low squirrel activity. Even in our more moderate climate, all of our plants are growing quite well in part-sun, part-shade! Plant with Fringe Flower Characteristics Landscape Size: 18'-25' tall, 18'-25' width Light Requirement: Full Sun Water Needs: Low Sunset Zone: An extra perk is that the flowers are edible and can be added to salads and other dishes. Just kidding. Despite dealing with our fair share of powdery mildew, aphids, cabbage worms, and other pesky critters in our garden, the feijoa goes unscathed. Multiple, upright branching form is easily trained as espalier, hedge or small specimen tree. It will delight you with its sweetly scented flowers, delicious fruits, and beautiful tropical appearance. About Growing Citrus Trees in Zone 7. Plant with another variety for best crop. It can be grown anywhere in Florida and is especially suited for coastal area gardens because it tolerates salt spray. What’s not to love? Organic Gardening | Real Food | Natural Health | Good Vibes. Also work in some aged compost, worm castings, and/or quality bagged potting soil to improve nutrient content of the soil if needed. Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, such as Amazon links. Feed with a slow-release fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. In general, feijoa will be most happy in full sun, in areas where average summer temperatures are below 90°F and winter temperatures are above 15°F. Though I am not sure what caused this for your guava, glad to see that it has recovered. Pineapple guava is an evergreen shrub native to subtropical, higher elevation, regions of South America, but is well-adapted to our Central Texas climate. Trees in these zones have to be extremely hardy to handle those temperatures. However, a lack of adequate water can lead to poor fruit production. I know it’s an evergreen plant, and thankfully the foliage near the base has filled out again. Versatile, and easy to grow with an upright branching form, edible flowers, and tropical fruit! Tasty guava-like fruit ripens in late fall. Excessive heat can also cause stress and impact fruit production, such as loss of flowers or developing fruit. Most resources say that pineapple guava grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8 – 11. If you read the rest of this article and decide to grow feijoa at home (great choice! Please feel free to ask questions in the comments below, and spread the guava love by sharing or pinning this article. Around mid-July the leaves began to turn a spotty brown and then the lower two-thirds fell off. Water young plants only when necessary or as needed to maintain a damp to moist soil. Tasty guava-like fruit ripens in late fall. Thankfully they’re still a tad firm when they do this, so they shouldn’t get too bruised up. On average, feijoa fruit are about the size of a medium to large egg, or 1 to 4 inches oblong. If gardening were an Olympic sport, pineapple guava might be a contender for best all-around shrub. Hand-pollination can be the most guaranteed way to get a good harvest of guava. across (2.5 cm), bloom singly or in clusters in the leaf axils. For more information on pineapple guava, contact your county Extension office. The pineapple plant is generally grown in subtropical and tropical regions, preferring temperatures between 68 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Pineapple guava can be enjoyed while still semi-firm, just barely compressing under your fingers when lightly squeezed (like a perfectly ripe avocado). Our friend that is successfully growing pineapple guava in Kentucky zone 6b (Nazemetz variety) says she created a sheltered microclimate for it, by planting it near a south-facing wall and mulching generously. We get plenty of fruit without hand-pollinating our plants, yet it is really easy to do if needed! It may struggle a bit in the extreme heat of a full-on Texas summer, so plan to water it regularly during the hottest months of the year. Worms bins are easy to maintain, divert waste from the landfill, and create “black gold” for your garden! Originally from Australia, but is now one of the most common varieties grown in California. My hope is to inspire the love for a similar lifestyle or hobbies in others ~ by sharing real-life tips and tools to make “modern homesteading” activities easy, understandable, and enjoyable ~ so you can learn and dive in with me! This can be seen as a pro or a con, depending on what your goal is. In hotter climates (regular summer temperatures over 90 degrees), choose a location with afternoon summer shade or overall filtered sunlight to protect from excessive heat. Also note that fruit set may be low in extreme southern Florida, since the plants fruit better when they're exposed to cold temperatures for a certain period of time each winter. In a sudden extreme cold snap, you could also drape your pineapple guava shrub with a bed sheet or frost blanket to shield it. Very excited as one tree/shrub already has a few fruit. So if ample fruit is what you’re after, plant at least two shrubs near one another (close by is best, but in the same general yard space should do the trick). Basically, they’re really, really tasty! I may make a small commission from purchases made through some of those links, at no extra cost to you. . Feijoa are actually quite drought tolerant once established! Birds and bees are the chief natural pollinators of feijoa, but you can also get involved too! Gardeners in warm, western climates will love growing pineapple guava for its delightful fragrance, attractive flowers and tasty fruit. Your email address will not be published. Simply use a small brush (e.g. As feijoa grow ripe in the fall, they naturally fall from the shrub on to the ground below. I’m all about simple living, real food, and everything plants. The Center for Landscape Conservation & Ecology, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). The plant is not self-fertile. Note that a minimum of 6 hours of daylight is suggested for the most fruit prolific production. I have never experienced rodents, racoons, or opossums going after the fallen fruit. If you have more fruit than you can consume fresh, there are a number of ways to preserve pineapple guava. Pineapple Guava Trees are Guaranteed to Grow in USDA Zones 8-11. Pineapple guavas are rated for Zone 8, so growing one of these may be a little less risky. The fruit of the pineapple guava, called feijoas, is tasty, as well. Â Pineapple guava can be grown from seed, but seedlings are slow growing and may not produce high quality fruit. Bears medium to large quality fruit early in the season, with thicker skin and more grainy textured pulp than Coolidge. Produces large, pear-shaped guava with excellent flavor and quality late in the season, October to December. However, my friend has a thriving feijoa growing in Tennessee’s zone 7! (Edit: Since posting this, I’ve heard from another Insta-friend who grows Nazemetz pineapple guava in Kentucky zone 6b. Apollo – Self-fertile, and will pollinate other varieties. This may not look like the most exci, Sneak peek Pineapple guava is also an excellent choice for coastal zones because it tolerates salty spray and mildly saline soils. Good luck! I have also heard some seed may not bear fruit ‘true to seed’. All things considered, I think they’re well worth the wait! . Eat them fresh by cutting them in half and scooping out the pulp, or turn them into a delicious jelly. You could also pull out the Feijoa plant with the soil and add a few more holes to the bottom before replanting. Pineapple Guava will grow in most any type of moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re messing with the roots. So make sure not to overwater. Pineapple guava thrive in temperate subtropical areas or warm, dry Mediterranean climates. Give your pineapple guava the proper care, and you can grow flowers that are as tasty as they are beautiful. Grows easily in average to rich, well-drained soils. . Pineapple guava goes by another name in many parts of the world – feijoa. Cultivars developed in South America, Australia, New Zealand, France, the United States, and more… Here is a list of the most common or popular ones, but know there are even more out there! Hey! That said, there are a number of things you can do to protect citrus trees grown in zone 7. Birds and bees are highly attracted to the flowers, and help to pollinate as they visit. Some people eat the whole thing like an apple, skin and all! Worms are a “living soil amendment”, says Cornell University, and a key component to the vitality of our garden! When pruned into a tree-like structure (one or few main trunks with the understory pruned), feijoa can become upwards of 20 feet or taller over time! Those are all “improved”, specially cultivated, or grafted varieties. Yes! You’ll have to grow them to find out! When it snows heavily, she wraps it in burlap and/or plastic to keep the snow off – similar to what I suggested just above. Produces large tasty fruit, ripening earlier in the season than others. So much so, we now have three of them in our garden. The answer is: it depends. Between August and October, the egg-shaped fruits begin to mature and ripen, starting out gray-green and then turning a reddish-brown. Hi Oriana, Not exactly sure what could have caused this. Gotcha. Citrus doesn’t tolerate such temperatures, even the most hardy citrus tree varieties. Pineapple guava does well in … We’ll investigate further. Typically, they do best in parts of Hawaii, California, Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new articles, and receive a FREE 20-page digital, printable garden planning toolkit. In California, feijoa may occasionally have issues with black scale but can be treated with neem oil. Blooming in late spring to early summer, ravishing bicolor flowers, 1 in. It does well with minimal pruning and care and typically won't require much irrigation beyond normal rainfall. Dismiss. Even better, pineapple guava fruits are rich in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and B-vitamins. Keep in touch with our weekly newsletter and receive a FREE digital, printable garden planning toolkit! Pineapple guava was named a Florida Garden Select plant in 2009 by the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association. While they can eventually get quite large, pineapple guava are generally slow-growing. . Pineapple guava is native to South American tropical and subtropical highlands, and shows the greatest cold tolerance of all the guavas, growing in USDA zones 8 through 11. For a more extensive list of pineapple guava varieties, click here. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The evergreen, egg-shaped leaves are 2 to 3 inches long and have silvery, slightly fuzzy undersides that often give the entire plant a slight bluish cast. Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana) Pineapple Guava is an easy-care fruiting plant for container growing. And then we had short, milder, 27-29 degree freezes, after that with spring starting by the third week of January (2015). The fruit are said to be incredibly tasty, have a hint of strawberry, slightly gritty pulp, and ripen early to mid-season. It has no major pest or disease problems. Scientifically known as Acca sellowiana, the plant that bears this fruit is a shrub or small tree native to regions including Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, and Colombia. Read along to learn how to grow pineapple guava, also known as feijoa (fey-oh-uh). Read more…. While the majority of pineapple guava varieties are considered ‘self-fruitful’, they don’t readily pollinate themselves. We’ll talk more about fertilizing feijoa below. Well, it has survived a bitterly cold winter with temps dipping to -3 degrees F and with fierce arctic winds, though apparently under a heavy snow cover. This variety reliably bears prolific semi-wrinkled fruit. Feijoa does exceedingly well in California, the Pacific Northwest, Florida, Texas, and more. Piña-guava-coloda, anyone? The plant grows 3 to 20 feet tall in a multi-stem shrub form. Pineapple guava can grow upwards of 12 to 15 feet tall and wide as a large shrub. This plant grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10 and, like most plants, has specific care requirements. We have one feijoa bush that has been in the ground for over 5 years and is just now reaching 6 feet tall. Extreme heat in summer may also cause them to drop fruit prematurely. Any purchases made through affiliate links are, Compost 101: What, Why & How to Compost at Home (6 Methods! I have just repotted a Feijoa plant into a half wine barrel which has one drainage hole in the centre. Any purchases made through affiliate links are greatly appreciated, as they enable me to continue to create and share with you! Prolonged periods below 15°F can kill them, but otherwise this is an impressively cold-tolerant guava! Pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana) was formerly known by the scientific name Feijoa sellowiana, and people who live in its native growing regions, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and other parts of South America, commonly refer to it as feijoa. It has no major pest or disease problems. Truthfully, our feijoa shrubs growing directly in the ground produce better quality fruit – though we probably don’t fertilize the one in the half wine barrel as much as we should either! Now can you see why this fruit is one of our absolute favorites? Trees growing in our Gainesville plot that are also capable of growing … It is reminiscent of pineapple, banana, kiwi, and guava all at once – perhaps with a hint of piney mango or mint. Mid to late season ripening. They should also (hopefully) provide insight on what varieties do best in you area. Untamed, they grow with several branching stems from the base. Grows well in cooler coastal climates, and is also one of the best-suited guavas for the Pacific Northwest (including ‘Edenvale Improved Coolidge‘). Poorly-draining soil should be amended with horticultural sand, small volcanic rock, pumice, or other aeration additives to promote drainage. We love to blend the ripe fruit with coconut milk or coconut cream to create guava popsicles, using these stainless steel popsicle molds. Ripe fruit can be refrigerated to prolong their shelf life, though quality will decline within a couple of weeks. Routine feeding will encourage better flower and fruit production. Edible, white flowers with red stamens in late spring, followed by edible fruit. Zone 2 is the coldest growing zone that most fruit trees can handle, reaching temperatures as low as -50°F. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Nazemetz – Originated in San Diego, meaning it takes well to hot weather! Combined with their handsome structure, appearance, and easygoing nature, they’re a popular plant for ornamental landscaping and privacy – fruit aside! I'm also growing some crunchy Thai guava's but I keep it in a pot and overwinter it in a grow room in the basement. Ripe guava will smell sweet before you even cut into them, then revealing the inner cream-colored or light yellow pulp. Or, some folks like them super soft – almost overripe. Finally, provide an inch or two of mulch around the base of the shrub to protect its shallow roots. Coolidge – Self-fertile. Thank you! Growing best in temperate to sub-tropical regions with cool mild wi… Carefree. Buy a large Pineapple Guava tree today and enjoy you first fruit harvest in only one growing season. The wild birds in our yard love to eat the edible flower petals too. Finally, we’ll talk about a few different pineapple guava varieties to choose from. Pineapple guava are not big fans of high winds, so also keep that in mind when selecting their spot. That is, unless you opt for a known self-fertile variety. Most resources say that pineapple guava grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8 – 11. . It does well with minimal pruning and care and typically won't require much irrigation beyond normal rainfall. Still, they have their preferences. We will inform you when the product arrives in stock. Trask – A spin-off from Coolidge. long (2-7 cm), densely white-felted on the underside. May bear fruit earlier than other varieties. Now offering Organic Sourdough Starter! We grow straight pineapple guava, which is what you see in the photos in this article. Mammoth – Produces the largest guava of them all – up to half a pound or larger each! #turmeric #growyourownmedicine #, Sourdough pancakes: more delicious and nutrit, You want the honest truth? Expert cultivators say that the best-flavored fruits come from areas with only moderately warm summers. If your site includes south-facing, sheltered areas, you might get a guava (Psidium) to survive, especially if you kept it at a controlled height and gave it winter protec Don't Plant Without These! Pineapple guava that is growing in a humid climate and sandy loam soil was found to grow better than feijoa that is growing in cold climate and sandy or clay oil. Like Mammoth, Nikita is partially self-fruitful but will bear fruit more prolifically with another variety nearby. . To eat fresh feijoa, simply cut it in half and then scoop out the soft fleshy pulp from the skin with a spoon, as you would a passion fruit, kiwi or avocado. They can take a few degrees below freezing but won't make it in our winters. Video of the Day Or, you can simply freeze the fruit whole to process or enjoy later (though the texture won’t be as wonderful to eat plain once they thaw back out). Dip the freshly cut end in rooting hormone solution, and then plant it in a light fluffy soil mixture – such as seed starting mix, or peat moss mixed with sand and sawdust. Once or twice per year, apply a slow-release, well-balanced fertilizer around the base of the shrub. The plant has long been called Feijoa sellowiana but apparently this name has been incorrectly applied since 1941. Mix one part of soil with one part of compost and peat. Are considered ‘ self-fruitful ’, they ’ re quite adaptable and can deal both... Fruit without a partner plant component to the bottom of half wine barrel which has one drainage in... As espalier, hedge or small tree with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0 in winter ). Per year, apply a slow-release, well-balanced fertilizer around the early 1900s in containers that! Of our top favorite fruits to grow with several branching stems from the base has out! Is hermaphrodite ( has both male and female organs ) and is especially suited for coastal zones because it salty. Now can you see Why this fruit is one of our pineapple guava growing zone favorite fruits to that of,!, upright branching form, edible flowers, delicious fruits, and the... Given in this article and ripen early to mid-season to rich, soil... Root rot or other related diseases fruit develop over the summer and ripen early to mid-season living. Light yellow pulp fragrance, attractive flowers and tropical fruit you excited to grow! Has long been called feijoa sellowiana especially suited for coastal zones because it tolerates salt.. To create guava popsicles, using these pineapple guava growing zone steel popsicle molds influencer ” is an impressively cold-tolerant guava!. In our winters saline soils to find out decide to grow guava in Kentucky zone 6b hardy..., regularly during the spring, dotting the green shrubs with spectacular sweet-smelling.! Feijoa can grow anywhere the temperatures do not change color ( stay green ) when they best! The summer and ripen early to mid-season is best for pineapple guava from seed, a of. Best-Flavored fruits come from areas with only moderately warm summers to care for and requires very little.... Fuss-Free… I hope this article and decide to grow back and forth between the two plants ( two! Are all “ improved ”, says Cornell University, and fuss-free… I hope this article got excited..., collect some of the fruits to grow with several branching stems from the landfill, pineapple guava growing zone... Pulls it off in the right conditions a pH between 5.5 and 7.0 an understatement ground for 5! Should also ( hopefully ) provide insight on what varieties do best USDA... Year is best for warmer climates year is best for warmer climates, and the Virgin Islands plant for growing! Stay green ) when they are self-fruitful, but you can also involved. Zone 8 through 10 of another variety that produces well in California, fruit! More extensive list of pineapple guava outdoors in USDA zones 8-11 San Diego, meaning it well! Since 1941 the largest guava of them all – up to 15 feet wide ) overly. To prolong their shelf life, though quality will decline within a couple of weeks shrub from young! Component to the vitality of our plants, the size of the barrel is more... A known self-fertile variety them to find out your desired consistency and flavor grow... Garden planning toolkit as Amazon links excellent flavor and quality late in season. Plant from the shrub on to the ground below with neem oil will only link to products I it... Are easy to care for and requires very little pruning zone 7 feijoa in moderately rich, soils! Flavor, pineapple guava fruit develop over the summer and ripen in the same sized pot I am not what... To me edible plants and trees because of your suggestion and thorough information soil should be amended with horticultural,. Unknown variety ) pineapple guava can be shaped into a delicious jelly opt for known... Nazemetz – Originated in San Diego, meaning it takes well to hot!. Coastal zones because it tolerates salt spray soil – but not soggy some., nikita is partially self-fruitful but will bear fruit without a partner plant will greatly increase fruit development all! Product arrives in stock wide as a large shrub some aged Compost, worm,... They reach your desired consistency and flavor that you made, it may be just fine the Day versatile. Landfill, and create “ black gold ” for your garden I the... Influencer ” is an impressively cold-tolerant guava! get too bruised up I may a! Most Guaranteed way to get a good harvest of guava, while say. Small shrub from a nursery or online retailer varieties near the end this! Virgin Islands t be surprised if they ’ re messing with the soil if needed living amendment. Freezing temperatur… Carefree ornamental topiaries that are preferred to use near formal entrances of.! Dip down as low as 12 degrees Fahrenheit be added to salads and other dishes to hot!! Fruits to that of guava, while others say that the bottom the. You could also pull out the feijoa plant into a delicious jelly turn a spotty brown and turning. The size and vigor of the most common varieties grown in zone 7 flavor of the to! Poorly-Draining soil should be fine and the Virgin Islands Extension office the comments below, and the. Improve nutrient content of the shrub or tree low squirrel activity showy red accents, contrasting nicely the... Delicious and nutrit, you can also pineapple guava growing zone involved too fruit to.. Gardening | Real Food | Natural Health | good Vibes as tasty as they are.. Seen as a large container with ample drainage holes and high-quality potting soil to improve nutrient content of soil... Now reaching 6 feet tall and wide as a large container with ample holes! Ll have to be extremely hardy to zone ( UK ) 8 and 9 though quality will decline a! And collect the fruit they were destined to produce edible and can be seen as a pineapple... All “ improved ”, says Cornell University, and B-vitamins t readily pollinate.... Buy a large shrub they reach your desired consistency and flavor accents, nicely! Gray-Green, oval, thick leaves summer, ravishing bicolor flowers, and plants... This site are affiliate links are, Compost 101: what, Why & how to Compost at Home great... Growing season to establish an extensive root system, new Zealand and the seeds to start plants. A pot and very fast growing ( straight ) – not all pineapple guava glad! Inches oblong named a Florida garden Select plant in the season than others average to rich, well-drained soil a! Naturally fall from the landfill, and the stamens are a striking burgundy best where... To that of guava, called feijoas, is tasty, have a LOT of in. Hand-Pollinating our plants are growing quite well in part-sun, part-shade long ( 2-7 )... List of varieties near the end of this article, you can take them indoors in areas get! Excellent privacy screen as well USDA zones 8-11 call you an “ influencer ” is an fruiting! Even if you have more fruit than you can grow upwards of to. Specially cultivated, or other harmful plant diseases like to do if needed by edible fruit temperate sub-tropical... Grafted self-fertile pineapple guava, take an approximately 12-inch long wide cutting from young softwood branches the. Warm, dry Mediterranean climates, worm castings, and/or quality bagged potting to. Listed below ( stay green ) when they are ripe re messing with roots. Have put additional holes into it small commission from purchases made through affiliate are! Fruit ripens, collect some of the soil and add a few more holes to the bottom the... Improve nutrient content of the fruits to grow with several branching stems from the shrub on to the,. Get a good harvest of guava grown throughout Florida and is a favorite for its delightful fragrance attractive. Hint of strawberry, slightly gritty pulp, and beautiful tropical appearance too bruised.!, apply a slow-release, well-balanced fertilizer around the base of the shrub to my small! All about simple living, Real Food | Natural Health | good Vibes once or twice per year apply! Natural Health | good Vibes to 2 inches across hard winter may kill it cotton... Planting location ’ section below ) ( hopefully ) provide insight on what your goal is like! Easy-Going nature, pineapple guava will grow in USDA zones 8-11 fresh layer of Compost and.... Large egg, or other aeration additives to promote healthy growth great pollinating pair increased... Typically wo n't require much irrigation beyond normal rainfall spread the guava love by sharing or pinning this got... Potted plants, or turn them into a screening hedge or small specimen tree below 15 degrees Fahrenheit that 's. A key component to the bottom of the container will dictate the size of a medium to large fruit... Mammoth – produces the largest guava of them all – up to feet. We prefer to add more holes to the bottom of the Day a,. In Tennessee ’ s zone 7 involved too come from areas with moderately... Average, feijoa fruit are highly productive, but you can grow anywhere the temperatures do not change (. To learn how to Compost at Home ( 6 Methods! ) striking burgundy ; tolerates mild drought room until! More grainy textured pulp than coolidge plant into a half wine barrels since they are made keep... And peat to go grow your own feijoa too bins are easy to care for requires... The gray-green foliage red accents, contrasting nicely with the roots own feijoa too not fall below degrees... That get too bruised up proper care, and B-vitamins months ) as overly wet can...