How to grow Feijoa

Feijoa sellowiana · pineapple guava, guavasteen

Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana) — feijoa is an evergreen shrub or small tree from southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina, grown for its aromatic green fruit that tastes of pineapple, guava and mint; the fleshy flower petals are edible too. It withstands frosts down to about −10 °C, so in colder regions it is grown in a large pot that spends winter under cover. Grafted plants start bearing in about 2 years.

Checked against sources: October 3, 2026

Quick facts

Type	Fruit tree
Family	Myrtaceae
Light	Full sun
Soil pH	5.5–7
Frost	tolerates light frost
First harvest after planting	about 3 years
Where it grows	Greenhouse, Open ground

When to plant

Planted as a young plant from a nursery while it is dormant — in early spring before the buds open, or in autumn after leaf fall.

Harvest from October to December (northern hemisphere).

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

Greenhouse

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	—	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage
Flowering	every 7 days	—	—
Fruiting	every 7 days	—	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 60 days into the stage
Harvest	every 7 days	—	—
Winter rest	every 14 days	—	—

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	—	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage
Flowering	every 7 days	—	—
Fruiting	every 7 days	—	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 60 days into the stage
Harvest	every 7 days	—	—
Winter rest	—	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Give it full sun in a warm, sheltered spot; it tolerates light shade but then flowers and fruits less. In hot climates keep it away from reflected heat, which can sunburn the fruit.

Soil

Grows in most soils, from sand to clay, but crops best in well-drained, organically rich soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0. The roots are shallow, so mulch instead of digging around the plant.

Care

Water deeply and regularly, especially while it flowers and sets fruit; a dry spell makes the fruit drop. Feed lightly with a complete fertiliser about every two months in the growing season and avoid nitrogen-rich feeds, which give leaves instead of fruit. Many varieties need a second plant for cross-pollination, while 'Coolidge', 'Apollo' and 'Nazemetz' are self-fertile; hand-pollinating with a soft brush sets almost every flower. Prune lightly in summer after the harvest and cut out frost damage in late spring. Where winters drop below about −10 °C, keep it in a pot and move it to an unheated greenhouse or porch before hard frosts; autumn frosts also damage ripening fruit.

How to tell it is ripe

The skin barely changes colour as the fruit ripens; it stays dull blue-green.
Ripe fruit falls from the plant on its own.
The fruit gives off a strong perfume, though it starts doing so before it is fully ripe.
Gather fallen fruit every day or two; shaking the plant over a sheet brings down the ripe ones.
Keep gathered fruit cool and eat it once it turns slightly soft to the touch.
Fruit picked firm will ripen indoors at room temperature, but it never tastes as good as fruit ripened on the plant.
The fruit bruises easily, so spread straw or a sheet under the plant and keep the harvest cool; it keeps about a week in the fridge.

Pests and diseases of Feijoa

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.