Pineapple guava

Profile

Family

Myrtaceae

Habit

Shrub

Height

3.5 m

Spread

4 m

Growth

slow

Lifespan

70 years

First yield

after 4 years

Hardiness

zone 9–12

Shade tolerance

full sun

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very moist

pH

6 – 7

Synonyms

Acca sellowiana, Orthostemon sellowianus, Brasilianische Guave, Feijoa, Ananasguave

Planned in gardens

3×

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit has a delicious aromatic flavor reminiscent of a cross between pineapple and strawberry. Best enjoyed raw, it can also be used in pies, cakes, puddings, jams, jellies, etc. Fruit may be damaged by autumn frosts, although the flavor develops better at lower temperatures. It can grow up to 7.5 cm long. Flowers - raw. The petals are sweet, crunchy, and delicious, tasting more like a single fruit than many fruits. Harvest when they begin to soften.

Other uses: Although not very cold-resistant, it can be grown as a shelter hedge in mild coastal areas due to its resistance to sea exposure.

Growing

Prefers a light, loamy, well-draining soil and requires a warm, sunny location. Can also tolerate light shade. Thrives in most good soils, even on limestone, but cannot withstand extreme alkalinity. Tolerant of drought and salty winds. The plant is highly decorative but only reliably hardy in milder regions. It grows well against a west-facing wall and often bears fruit, although not always ripening fully. In cool summers, the fruits may ripen further in storage. Successful cultivation has been reported in Norfolk and Scotland when grown against a sunny wall, although additional protection may be needed in very cold winters. In Cornwall, it also thrives as a free-standing shrub. Can withstand temperatures down to -12 to -15°C when fully dormant. Occasionally and more commonly grown in subtropical regions for its edible fruits, with some named varieties available. 'Apollo' and 'Mammoth' are known for their fertility. 'Smith' fruits well in the Pacific Northwest and may be suitable for milder regions. In the UK, fruits only ripen outdoors in hot summers. Plants rarely fruit in the UK, possibly due to self-sterility. Some varieties are self-pollinating, while others require cross-pollination.

Propagation

Sow seeds in a greenhouse during spring. Rinse the seeds before sowing to remove any pulp residues that could inhibit germination. Seeds typically germinate in 3 - 6 weeks at 15°C. Transplant the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle. Allow them to grow in a greenhouse for at least the first winter and plant them in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Provide some protection to the plants during their first winter outdoors. Take cuttings of semi-ripe shoots, 5 - 7 cm with a heel, in July/August in a frame. They root slowly, but you will eventually achieve a good success rate.

Notable

Special characteristics: drought and salt-wind tolerant; optimal rainfall 750-1000mm; frost-resistant up to -8°C, rarely survives below -15°C; There are self-fertile varieties: 'Mammoth', 'Coolidge' (100% self-fertile), and 'Triumph'; Fruits taste better in cold regions than in warm ones.

Origin & habitat

Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina

Thickets, forest edges, riverbanks. Smaller ones also on dry slopes. Thickets, forest edges, and riverbanks provide habitats for a variety of plant and animal species. Smaller ecosystems can also be found on dry slopes.

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