Feijoa sellowiana (Pineapple Guava)
- Herman Kraut
- Oct 12
- 4 min read
Common Name: Pineapple Guava
Scientific Name: Feijoa sellowiana
Plant Family: Myrtaceae
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pineapple guava is a resilient evergreen shrub native to South America, loved for its aromatic blossoms and tangy-sweet fruits that taste like tropical sherbet. Growing Feijoa sellowiana in Zone 8a offers both ornamental beauty and edible rewards, provided patience and warmth—young trees often focus on root growth before fruiting. Its drought tolerance and dense foliage make it ideal for Mediterranean, off-grid, or wind-prone landscapes.
For in-depth guides and curated tools, be sure to check out our Recommended Books & Resources below.
Plant Profile
Characteristic | Information |
Climate Suitability | USDA Zones 8–10; Köppen Csa (Mediterranean hot summer) |
Sun / Shade Needs | Full sun (6–8 hours daily); tolerates light shade |
Watering Needs | Moderate; deep watering weekly during first two years |
Soil Preferences | Well-drained loam or sandy loam; pH 6.0–7.5 |
Spacing & Height | 2.5–4 m (8–13 ft) apart; mature height 2–4 m (6–13 ft) |
Propagation Method(s) | Semi-hardwood cuttings, air-layering, seed |
Planting Timeline | Late autumn to early spring; protect young plants from frost |
Companion Plants | Comfrey, prickly pear, rosemary, lavender |
Edible / Medicinal / Ecological Uses | Edible fruits rich in vitamin C; flowers edible and attract pollinators |
Pest / Disease Considerations | Generally pest-resistant; watch for scale and root rot in poor drainage |
Pruning / Harvest Notes | Light shaping after fruiting; harvest autumn when fruits drop naturally |
Quick Plant Reference
Care Level: Moderate
Optimal Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 h/day)
Water Needs: Moderate; deep weekly watering first two years
Mature Size: 2–4 m (6–13 ft) tall & wide
Soil Type: Well-drained loam or sandy loam
Humidity: Low to medium
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans and pets
Beneficial Pollinators: Bees, hoverflies, small birds
Health Benefits: Fruit high in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants
Chilling Hours: Approx. 50–150 hours below 7 °C (45 °F)
Pollination Requirements: Partially self-fertile; cross-pollination improves fruit set
Our Feijoa sellowiana Application @ Tough Kraut
Our Feijoa sellowiana was planted along the southern fence line in early 2023, where it enjoys full sun and wind exposure. It’s now about 1.5 meters tall and thriving among prickly pears and a comfrey companion that keeps the soil cool and nutrient-rich. While it has flowered, we haven’t seen fruit yet—likely due to its youth. We plan to propagate more Feijoa trees by semi-hardwood cuttings next autumn to create a small hedge along the same line.
Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Note: If your pineapple guava flowers but doesn’t fruit yet, patience is key—most plants need 3–5 years to reach fruiting maturity.
1. Choose the Right Site
Select a sunny, sheltered spot protected from harsh winds. Feijoa prefers full sun and well-drained soil for optimal flowering and fruit set.
2. Prepare the Soil
Amend native soil with compost and coarse sand for drainage. Avoid clay-heavy or compacted soils that retain water around roots.
3. Plant the Tree
Plant during cool seasons—late autumn to early spring. Set rootball level with soil surface and water in deeply after planting.
4. Water Consistently
Water weekly during establishment years 1–2, then reduce to every 2–3 weeks. Mulch well with organic matter to conserve moisture.
5. Ensure Proper Pollination
Feijoas are partially self-fertile but fruit better with cross-pollination. Plant at least two varieties or attract bees for better fruit set.
6. Prune Annually
After flowering, remove crossing branches and shape lightly. Avoid hard pruning; fruits form on current season’s wood.
7. Manage Pests and Diseases
Rarely troubled, but check undersides of leaves for scale. Maintain airflow and avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot.
8. Harvest and Store
Fruit ripens in autumn and typically drops when ready. Collect fallen fruits daily and store in a cool place for up to 1 week or refrigerate.
9. Note
Troubleshooting tip: If your Feijoa produces many flowers but no fruit, it’s likely due to immaturity or lack of a pollination partner. Hand-pollinate flowers with a small brush if needed.
Kraut Crew Insight
Our pineapple guava hasn’t fruited yet, but its silvery foliage and tropical flowers already earn its keep. Between the prickly pear’s shade and the comfrey’s living mulch, this little evergreen proves that even patience can be perennial.
Photos
Herman’s Tough Kraut Field Notes: Solving Pineapple Guava Cultivation Challenges
Even hardy shrubs have their quirks. This troubleshooting and FAQ section covers real-world Feijoa lessons from Mediterranean growers adapting to dry summers and mild winters.
Q: My Feijoa flowers but doesn’t fruit — what’s wrong?
A: Patience! Trees under 3 years old often prioritize root growth. Cross-pollination or hand-pollinating blooms improves fruit set once mature.
Q: Leaves are yellowing — overwatering or deficiency?
A: Overwatering is more common. Check drainage first; Feijoa roots dislike standing water. Add compost and mulch lightly.
Q: Can Feijoa tolerate frost?
A: Mature plants handle brief drops to –8 °C (17 °F). Protect young trees with fleece or straw mulch during cold snaps.
Q: How can I propagate Feijoa easily?
A: Take semi-hardwood cuttings in early autumn. Use rooting hormone and keep humidity moderate until rooted.
Q: What’s the best mulch?
A: Comfrey leaves are excellent—nitrogen-rich, moisture-retentive, and self-replenishing when chopped and dropped nearby.
Recommended Books & Resources
Books
Growing Tasty Tropical Plants in Any Home, Anywhere by Laurelynn G. Martin & Byron E. Martin
Practical, container-friendly cultivation for subtropical fruit (includes pineapple guava/feijoa); great for Zone 8a growers managing microclimates and winter protection.
Temperate and Subtropical Fruit Production (3rd ed.) by David I. Jackson & N. E. Looney
A technical, orchard-scale reference that covers culture, pruning, propagation, climate, and crop protection for many fruits, including feijoa (often listed as Acca sellowiana).
Subtropical and Dry Climate Plants: The Definitive Practical Guide by Martyn Rix
Illustrated species profiles and siting guidance for drought-tolerant plants; helpful when positioning feijoa within a Mediterranean palette.
Resources
Reusable Air-Layering Pods (Propagation Balls)
Snap-on shells that make cloning semi-hardwood branches easy and tidy. Ideal for creating a feijoa hedge without stressing the mother plant; roots form in-situ, then you pot up.
Handheld Brix Refractometer (0–32% with ATC)
A pocket tool to measure fruit sugar and dial in harvest timing on drop-ripe feijoas. Also fun for comparing cultivars as your orchard expands.
Fruit Collector Harvest Net (Ground Catch Netting)
Lay this reusable orchard net under trees during ripening; it cushions drop-ripe feijoas so they don’t bruise or disappear into mulch, speeding up daily gathers.
Tough Kraut Resources
Tools, propagation aids, and organic inputs tested on our own land.
Entry last updated: 2025-10-11
This post is part of the Tough Kraut Plant Library, documenting what really grows on our off-grid homestead in Central Portugal.
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