Feijoa sellowiana
pineapple guava
Pineapple guava. Silvery evergreen edible ornamental sports brushy ruby flowers in spring with edible pink petals. Ample water for best fruit production (fall). Otherwise not thirsty.
 Synonyms | Acca sellowiana |
|---|---|
 Height | 8–25ft |
 Width | 6–15ft |
 Tolerates | Cold, Cool Summers, Wind |
 Water needs | Low – Moderate |
After it is established, this plant should be watered deeply but infrequently (when the top three inches of soil or so have dried). Use drippers, emitters or a slow stream of water so that it doesn't run off; allow the water to trickle all the way down through the deepest layers of soil. For best fruit production, provide more frequent deep irrigation, especially from late spring through harvest. | |
 Hardy to | 10°F |
 Exposure | Part Sun – Full Sun |
 Plant traits | Edible, Flowering, Screen, Shrub, Tree |
 Indoor / outdoor | Outdoor |
 Drainage | In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Ground: Planting Mix, In Pots: Potting Soil, Tolerates Heavy Soil, Tolerates Sandy Soil |
 Fertilizing | All Purpose 1/2 Strength |
 Origin | S Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, N Argentina |
 California native | No |
 Sunset zones | 5–9, 14–24, H1 |
Growing Notes
Good drainage is best, but some people have had luck with this plant in heavy soils as long as the soil does not remain saturated in the winter time.
Useful as a luminous, open hedge in full sun, where it will flower and bear fruit. It can also be sheared to create a somewhat formal hedge.
To grow as a small tree, prune regularly to shape. Best as a multi-stem low-branching tree.
One of the hardiest of subtropical fruits.
Special Interest
Two seasons of eating: spring petals are a nice edible accent in salads; harvest fruit in fall.
The fragrant fruits remain green when they begin to ripen and fall off the tree three to five months after flowering. They'll sweeten and soften up for a day or two after harvest. Critters seem uninterested in the fruits, especially compared to apples, plums and other orchard fruits. Skin edible but can be leathery.
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The above information reflects the observations of Grubb and Nadler and our extended plant community. We always consider input from fellow horticulturists and welcome feedback from those with additional information on the culture of this plant.
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