How to grow and care for a guava tree

What you need to know about the guava tree

Name: Tropical guava, Psidium guajava

Plant type: Evergreen, large shrub to small tree.

Height/size: Depending on variety, 3-6m tall by 2-3m wide.

Climate: Tropical, sub-tropical and frost-free, warm sheltered locations in warm temperate zones. They tolerate moderate amounts of salty air so can be grown in sheltered coastal situations.

Soil: Prefer rich soil with reliable moisture but are adaptable to a wide range of soil types including clay, sandy and rocky.

Position: Best in full sun but will fruit in part shade.

Flowering and fruiting: Flowers from late spring through summer. In warmer zones they may flower year-round. Fruits take 3-6 months to develop and ripen.

Feeding: Feed with a quality controlled-release fertiliser at planting time.

Watering: Hardy once established but prefer reliable moisture during flowering and fruit development stages.

Appearance and characteristics

The fruit of the guava is a taste of the tropics. The tropical guava is thought to have originated, and been widely cultivated and used, in the region from Mexico to Central and South America for thousands of years. Europeans took seeds to tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate regions around the globe.
The common name itself, tropical guava, is a bit of a misnomer, as the tree will happily grow and fruit in many areas beyond the tropics.

These large shrubs or small trees make a handsome addition to any garden and can be grown in large pots and tubs. The foliage is about 5-12cm long, textured and a little leathery, and the colour varies with the form. In cooler regions the leaves will colour up during winter. The plant often holds its branches down to almost ground level, making it useful for screening. On mature specimens the trunk bark is very attractive – smooth, thin and papery, mottled greenish and red-brown in colour, it peels off in small patches revealing lighter colours beneath.

Flowers are about 2.5cm across, generally white and fluffy, lightly fragrant and appear from late spring through summer. In warmer zones they may flower year-round. The flowers appear on the current season’s growth and trees are self-fertile so don’t require a ‘pollination partner’.

The small to medium fruit, about 5-9cm long, are sweet and juicy, and the plants will bear reliably and abundantly. The colour of fruit depends on the variety and the flesh colour varies from white to yellow to red.

Uses for guava

The fruit is most often eaten fresh and raw but can be used for juices, jams, chutneys and jellies. Fresh, ripe fruit has a very high vitamin-C content, with the highest concentration in the skin, and they have very good levels of fibre. Fruit and leaves also have a long history of use in traditional medicine.

Due to their root structure and their soil activity tropical guava are used throughout South America to improve soil structure. Interestingly they also exude compounds from their roots that naturally prevent weed growth around them.

How to plant and grow guava

• Where is the best place to plant a guava tree? Select a sunny, warm position, protected from cold winds. A warm autumn position will improve fruit quality.
• The ideal soil is rich and free-draining but they are adaptable. Improving soil with quality well-rotted compost and manures will lead to better establishment of new trees.
• Guava can tolerate occasional water-logging and will grow in soil with a pH range of 4.5 to 8.5, much wider than most other fruiting species.
• In pots, use a premium potting mix and plant into a pot that will allow for future growth.

Planting tips

• Improve soil to maximise early growth.
• Apply a quality controlled-release fertiliser when planting.
• Young plants can be quite whippy, so stake with at least two stakes, if required.
• Mulch well at planting time.

Caring for guava

• Young plants are nutrient hungry, so supplement the initial feed with regular applications of liquid organic fertilisers or by side dressing with blood and bone or similar. Reapply controlled-release fertiliser at recommended intervals.
• Older plants require very little feeding but regular applications of controlled release fertiliser will be beneficial.
• If used, remove stakes no later than six months after planting.
• Plants take well to pruning. This will encourage bushiness and, as they flower on the current season’s growth, can increase crop size.

Watering guava

• Keep reliably moist as they establish.
• Regular watering during spring and summer will improve flower production and fruit set.
• Allow the soil surface to become dry between waterings.

Harvesting guava

How long does it take for a guava tree to bear fruit?

• Fruits take 3-6 months to develop and ripen.
• Harvest in late summer through to winter, depending on the climate. Fruit are best picked when ripe.
• Trees may fruit twice a year in the tropics.

Diseases and pests

• Guava are considered to be relatively pest free but fruit fly can be problematic. Trap fruit flies and promptly remove any fallen fruit, wrapping and disposing of it in the garbage.
• Guava may be bothered by sap-sucking insects such as aphids or mealy bugs. These are easily spotted and treated.

Keep in mind...

• Wear gloves and a mask when handling mulch, compost and potting mix and also when pruning, along with long sleeves, as the leaves and sap of some plants can be a skin irritant and cause allergic reactions.
• If using products to deal with pests, diseases or weeds, always read the label, follow the instructions carefully and wear suitable protective equipment.
• Store garden chemicals and products out of reach of children and pets.

If you like this, try growing…

• Chillies: no Asian flavour garden is complete without chillies.
• Ginger: this is a must-have and makes an excellent garden or potted plant.
• Thai basil: popular herb used in Asian dishes that has a distinct liquorice-like aroma and spicy undertones.

Photo credit: Adobe stock.