Ivar Leidus / CC BY-SA 4.0
garden
Guava
Psidium guajava
EdibleMedicinalDrought Tolerant
Edible PartsFruit
Overview
A tropical fruit tree that produces intensely aromatic, sweet-tart fruits packed with more vitamin C than almost any other fruit. Guavas come in varieties with white, pink, or red flesh, each with distinct flavor profiles. They are remarkably productive, often fruiting within 2-3 years from seed, and some cold-hardy varieties can tolerate brief freezes.
Growing Conditions
LightFull Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones10b — 12
Height7.62m
Spread10m
Growth HabitTree
Bloom ColorWhite
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5 — 7
Soil TypeWell-drained, fertile loam; adaptable to many soils
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Mar — May | Plant in spring; tolerates brief frost to 28°F once established; full sun |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Aug — Nov | Harvest when fruit yields to gentle pressure and is fragrant; ripens off tree |
| Warm (8-9) | Prune | Feb — Mar | Prune to open center for airflow; remove suckers; can be kept as large shrub |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Feb — Apr | Plant in spring; fast-growing tropical tree; fruits within 2-4 years from seed |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Jun — Dec | Extended harvest; may fruit twice per year in ideal tropical conditions |
Uses
Culinary
- Fresh eating when fully ripe
- Guava paste (goiabada) served with cheese in Latin America
- Juiced, made into jam, or used in tropical desserts
Medicinal
- Exceptionally high in vitamin C — up to 4x oranges
- Leaf tea traditionally used for diarrhea and digestive issues
- Rich in lycopene (pink varieties) for antioxidant support
Other Uses
- Compact fruit tree suitable for containers in cold climates
- Fragrant flowers attract pollinators
