Feijoa

( fay - JOH - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Feijoa is a genus containing a single species, Feijoa sellowiana (or Acca sellowiana), which is commonly called Pineapple Guava, Quirina or Guavasteen. It is an evergreen shrub or tree that needs full sun and regular water to perform and produce well. Flowers will attract birds and pollinators to the garden. Native to South America, this plant can reach 18-25 feet tall and wide if it is not pruned down. Leaves are glossy green on top and silvery white underneath. Blooms appear in spring and early summer; flowers are white-petaled with protruding red stamens. The petals are delicious and can be added to salads or used for jams and jellies. Grey-green fruit appears after blooms fade, and is soft and sweet (somewhat flavored like Pineapple). This is a drought tolerant plant, but needs regular waterings during fruiting time. Use Feijoa trees as specimens in the landscape, as a part of a backyard orchard, or trim them into shrubs for privacy or screening.

feijoa Species and Varietals

The genus Feijoa, which is a member of the plant family Myrtaceae, incluides just one species (Feijoa sellowiana). Although their common names include 'Guava', they are not true Guava plants, though they are related. The genus is named for Portuguese naturalist Joao de Silva Feijo, and the species is named for the German naturalist and botanist who first collected the fruits in southern Brazil, Friedrich Sellow. Pineapple Guava grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 6, 7-9, 12-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

'Apollo'
Vigorous and productive shrub. Partially self-fertile, but better when cross-pollinated.

'Coolidge'
Self-fertile and highly productive.

'Mammoth'
Very large fruits that can reach the size of an Apricot. Harvest in late fall or winter.

'Nazemetz'
Self-fertile, heavy production. Harvest in fall.

'Takaka'
Excellent, sweet flavored fruits.

'Trask'
With large, flavorful fruits. Use 'Coolidge' as a pollinator.

'Unique'
Popular, self-fertile variety wit medium-sized, soft fruits.

'Wiki Tu'
Large, firm, meaty fruits that mature mid-season.

Caring for Feijoa

Plant Feijoa in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms and fruit production. When these trees are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely, meaning that harvests will be lessened. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. For best fruit production, deep water weekly during dry spells, especially during flower and fruit development periods; Fruit drop can indicate a lack of soil moisture. Feijoas grown as screening or hedge plants (not for their edible fruits) are considered drought-tolerant.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Feijoa plants can be pruned each year right after fruiting has ceased. Cut the head back by no more than a quarter, removing dead or damaged wood or any crossing branches. Thin the canopy; these trees fruit on the base of new wood, so this will keep the tree producing well in the next year. If your tree or shrub is in need of restoration, it is best to do it over a few years so that you don't lose out too much on fruit, removing a quarter of the tree's branches each year. If you do remove a large branch, wait until spring to do more thinning - the tree may not react well to so much pruning activity done all in one go. These trees are long-lived and hardy, able to survive for between 30 and 50 years in the landscape before needing to be replaced. They will reach fruiting age in 3 to 5 years, and produce full harvests in 7 to 10 years.

Harvesting Feijoa
The fruit produced by Guavasteen shrubs and trees has a gritty texture and a flavor somewhere between strawberry, guava, and pineapple. The flower petals are also edible and are reported to taste a bit like marshmallow. Fruit can be harvested in fall, when the skin turns green and the fruit softens a bit. The fruits will fall from the tree when ripe, but to prevent bruising, it is a better practice to pick them off the tree and allow them to ripen in a paper bag. These fruits are not commonly found in produce markets; their proneness to bruising and fading flavor do not make them great candidates for transporting long distances. They can be cold-stored for up to a month after harvesting, and at room temperature will last a few days. The petals of Guavasteen plants can be added to green or fruit salads, where they will add a bit of sweetness to the dish. Fruits can be eaten raw, though they do have a bit of a gritty texture. Skin is a bit bitter, but is edible. These fruits can also be added to fruit smoothies or made into a jam.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Propagating Feijoa by Cutting

Guavasteen shrubs and trees are most commonly propagated via cuttings taken in November from the bottom of the plant Cuttings should be about 1/5 inch in diameter, contain at least three nodes, and and have two leaves at the tip.
Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, a clean razor blade, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 10-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In November, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Take your cuttings, and place them to the side. On each cutting, make some wounds with your razor blade. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm (about 68 degrees Fahrenheit), sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). They will do best when they get morning sun and dappled afternoon shade. Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new tree.