Native & adapted

Pineapple guava

Feijoa sellowiana

Also known as Feijoa · Guavasteen · Acca sellowiana

A tough evergreen shrub with silver-backed leaves, edible flower petals and aromatic green fruit in fall. Cold hardy but needs afternoon shade in Phoenix summers.

EdibleFruitingEvergreenHedgePollinatorCold hardy

Landscape layersUnderstory · Hedging

Mature size

10–15 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide; easy to keep at 6–8 ft

Climate fit

Urban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b · High desert · USDA 6a–8b

Plant spacing

6–8 ft apart; 4–5 ft apart for a hedge

Frost

Hardy to about 15°F.

Special categories

EDIBLE · POLLINATOR ATTRACTING

Hardiness guidance

USDA 8–11; hardy to about 15°F

Winter chill

About 50–100 hours helps fruit set

Typical harvest

October through December. Ripe fruit drops; gather it daily.

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Soil chemistry

Fast-draining soil with compost; tolerates mildly alkaline soil.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

East or north side of the house, or under the edge of a larger tree.

Cold hardiness

Cover early bloom below 28°F

Hardy to about 15°F, so Phoenix winters don't touch the plant. A warm spell can push early bloom, and a late frost after that can take the flowers.

Leaves and wood: damaged below 15°F · Blossoms and fruit: below 28°F

Heat tolerance

Shade from late-afternoon sun

Prefers summers in the 80s and 90s, and fruit sunburns in hot reflected sun. Plant it away from hot walls, with afternoon shade, and keep it watered or fruit drops.

Sources:

crfg.org

Right plant, right place

Will Pineapple guava grow at your Arizona property?

Makes a useful edible hedge or screen. Grafted named varieties give larger fruit.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b, Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b, High desert · USDA 6a–8b.

Light

Sun exposure

Morning sun with afternoon shade in summer. Reflected west heat scorches leaves and drops fruit.

Water

Irrigation

Moderate. Deep water once a week in summer.

Fruit set

Pollination

Partly self-fertile; a second variety greatly improves the crop. Birds and bees work the flowers.

Harvest

How to use it

Scoop the fragrant flesh fresh, or use in jams, smoothies and baking. The fleshy petals are sweet.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Pineapple guava thrive

1
Plant two varieties for a reliable crop.
2
Mulch and shade from afternoon sun in summer.
3
Prune lightly after harvest to shape.
4
Collect fallen fruit and ripen on the counter for a day or two.

Read the horticultural reference ↗