Guava

Plant Overview

Guava (Psidium guajava) is listed in the Myrtaceae family and categorized as a fruit with a perennial tree or shrub life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Easy.

Plant ID

PLT-0117

Family

Myrtaceae

Plant type

Fruit

Life cycle

Perennial tree or shrub

Growth habit

Evergreen to semi-evergreen tropical shrub or small tree with a rounded, branching canopy

Mature height

Commonly about 10-20 feet, though some trees can grow taller if left unpruned

Mature spread

Commonly about 10-20 feet, depending on cultivar, pruning, and growing conditions

Difficulty

Easy

Growing Conditions

Guava is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; maintain consistent moisture during establishment and fruit development while avoiding prolonged waterlogging. The database soil reference is Fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam with good organic matter. The listed soil pH range is 5.0-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 9-11.

Hardiness zones

9-11

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil

Fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam with good organic matter

Soil pH

5.0-7.0

Water needs

Moderate; maintain consistent moisture during establishment and fruit development while avoiding prolonged waterlogging

Plant spacing

Allow roughly 10-20 feet between full-size plants, with closer spacing possible where trees are regularly pruned

Seed & Germination

For propagation, the database note is fresh guava seeds can germinate within several weeks under warm, consistently moist conditions, though named cultivars are more reliably maintained by vegetative propagation. Planting-depth guidance: Sow cleaned guava seed about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in a moist, well-drained growing medium. The listed time to maturity is Seed-grown guava may begin fruiting in about 2-4 years, while vegetatively propagated plants can often bear sooner under favorable conditions. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Fresh guava seeds can germinate within several weeks under warm, consistently moist conditions, though named cultivars are more reliably maintained by vegetative propagation

Germination temperature

Guava seed germination is favored by warm conditions, generally around 70-85°F, with steady moisture and good aeration

Seed depth

Sow cleaned guava seed about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in a moist, well-drained growing medium

Sowing method

Seed may be sown in containers or nursery beds, while named cultivars are commonly established from cuttings, air layers, or grafted plants

Start indoors

Guava seeds can be started indoors in warm, bright conditions before transplanting, or young nursery plants can be maintained under protection until outdoor temperatures are suitable

Transplanting

Transplant young guava plants with minimal root disturbance, set them at approximately the same depth they were growing previously, and keep the root zone evenly moist during establishment

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

Seed-grown guava may begin fruiting in about 2-4 years, while vegetatively propagated plants can often bear sooner under favorable conditions

Harvest

Harvest when fruit has reached full size, developed strong aroma and characteristic cultivar color, and begins to soften slightly

Propagation

Guava can be propagated from seed, cuttings, air layers, or grafted plants; named cultivars are best maintained vegetatively

Seed saving

Collect seeds from fully ripe fruit, clean away the pulp, rinse and dry briefly, and store cool and dry; seedlings may vary genetically from the parent cultivar

Pollination

Many guava cultivars are self-fertile, though insect pollination, especially by bees, can improve fruit set and yield

Garden Information

Common pests

Fruit flies, scale insects, mealybugs, whiteflies, aphids, mites, thrips, and guava moth or other fruit-feeding larvae

Common diseases

Anthracnose, fruit rots, algal leaf spot, rust, wilt, and other fungal or bacterial diseases

Uses

Fresh fruit, juices, smoothies, jams, jellies, preserves, desserts, sauces, and tropical edible landscapes