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Pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana, also called feijoa) is a versatile evergreen that can be grown as a fruiting shrub, hedge, or small tree. Give it sun or part shade, well-drained soil, and water while it establishes and during prolonged dry spells. For reliable fruit, choose a named cultivar and check whether it needs a pollination partner; climate, flowering, and fruit set vary by cultivar and location.
What pineapple guava is—and how it grows
Pineapple guava belongs to the myrtle family and is native to southern Brazil, northern Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its accepted botanical name is Acca sellowiana; older references may call it Feijoa sellowiana. It is an evergreen that can be maintained as a shrub or hedge, trained as a small tree, or espaliered. UF/IFAS reports a mature landscape height of about 10–15 feet, depending on form and growing conditions.
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The spring flowers have edible fleshy petals, and the green fruit is edible when mature. The plant can be worthwhile as an ornamental even where climate or pollination makes fruit production less dependable.
Is your climate suitable?
UF/IFAS gives USDA hardiness zones 8–11 as a growing range, while NC State’s regional profile lists zones 8a–10b. These are regional guidelines, not a guarantee that a plant or crop will succeed at every site within those zones.
#1 Best Overall
- Versatile, and easy to grow with an upright branching form, edible flowers, and tropical fruit! Fleshy white flower petals have showy red accents, contrasting nicely with the gray-green foliage. Tasty guava-like fruit ripens in late fall. Easily trained as espalier, a hedge, or a small specimen tree for landscape or container. Evergreen.
- Evokes either a Mediterranean or tropical character in gardens. The coloring of this foliage complements western natives that have very pale, gray or hairy foliage. Plant as a background or specimen for the flowers. In warm climates use as a fruit tree in orchards. Excellent screen or single specimen plant.
- Grows easily in average to rich, well-drained soils. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates mild drought. Feed with a slow-release fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.Pruning time: spring; no pruning is needed, except to maintain desired shape.
- A versatile, easy to grow landscape addition, yielding edible flowers and tropical fruit! Fleshy white flower petals have showy red accents, contrasting nicely with the gray green foliage. Tasty guava-like fruit ripens in late fall. Multiple, upright branching form is easily trained as espalier, hedge or small specimen tree.
- Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape.
- Cold: UF/IFAS reports likely plant injury below 20°F and fruit injury below 28°F. These thresholds are source-specific cautions, not universal safety limits for every cultivar, exposure duration, or growing site.
- Winter chill: UF/IFAS says chilling appears to help initiate flower buds, but the requirement is poorly studied and cultivar-dependent. Its 2021 Florida publication estimates 50–200 chill hours; it also notes low fruiting in parts of southern Florida.
- Heat, wind, and coastal exposure: UF/IFAS reports salt-spray tolerance in coastal settings. Strong winds can bruise fruit and damage weaker branches, so a sheltered position is useful. Excess heat may also affect performance.
For a garden near the limits of the listed zones, compare local extension guidance and ask a nursery about the named cultivar’s performance in your area. A hardiness-zone label alone does not establish that a plant will flower or bear well.
Choose a site and prepare the soil
Plant in sun or part shade with good drainage. UF/IFAS lists a preferred soil pH of 5.5–7.0. Avoid a spot where water regularly sits around the roots.
Rank #2
- Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape.
- A versatile, easy to grow landscape addition, yielding edible flowers and tropical fruit! Fleshy white flower petals have showy red accents, contrasting nicely with the gray green foliage. Tasty guava-like fruit ripens in late fall. Multiple, upright branching form is easily trained as espalier, hedge or small specimen tree.
- Grows easily in average to rich, well-drained soils. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates mild drought. Feed with a slow-release fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.Pruning time: spring; no pruning is needed, except to maintain desired shape.
- Evokes either a Mediterranean or tropical character in gardens. The coloring of this foliage complements western natives that have very pale, gray or hairy foliage. Plant as a background or specimen for the flowers. In warm climates use as a fruit tree in orchards. Excellent screen or single specimen plant.
- Versatile, and easy to grow with an upright branching form, edible flowers, and tropical fruit! Fleshy white flower petals have showy red accents, contrasting nicely with the gray-green foliage. Tasty guava-like fruit ripens in late fall. Easily trained as espalier, a hedge, or a small specimen tree for landscape or container. Evergreen.
Water during establishment, then during prolonged dry periods. UF/IFAS notes that plants may grow without supplemental irrigation in ordinary conditions, but extended drought can lead to fruit and leaf drop. This is a reason to monitor the plant in dry weather rather than follow a fixed watering calendar.
Select a cultivar and plan for pollination
If fruit is important, buy a named cultivar and confirm its pollination needs with the nursery. Cultivars differ: NC State describes ‘Coolidge,’ ‘Nazemata,’ and ‘Pineapple Gem’ as good self-pollinating selections, while ‘Superba’ needs another cultivar for good fruit set. UF/IFAS notes that self-incompatible trees preferentially outcross, and UC Cooperative Extension Sonoma County advises checking cultivar requirements; it notes that two plants may improve production.
Rank #3
- 9EzTropical - Pineapple Guava - Feijoa sellowiana - 2 Feet Tall
Do not assume that every pineapple guava is reliably self-fruitful. A compatible second cultivar is worth considering when space allows, but confirm compatibility and local suitability before planting. For fruit-focused gardens, a named grafted plant also gives a more identifiable selection than a seedling; seedlings may take longer and may not reproduce fruit quality predictably.
Plant and train it for the space
Decide whether you want a hedge, a multi-stem shrub, or a small tree before planting. UF/IFAS gives 7–14 feet between plants for common production layouts, with spacing depending on whether plants are arranged as a hedge or individual trees. Treat that as production-system guidance, not a universal landscape spacing rule; allow for the form and mature size you intend to maintain.
Rank #4
- Pineapple guava trees require lots of full sun to thrive—at least eight hours per day
- Plant pineapple guava in a site with rich, well-drained soil
- Water pineapple guava just enough to keep the soil evenly moist
- Pineapple guava prefers moderate temperatures and humidity but can withstand nighttime temperatures as low as 15°F in winter
- Remove Pot when ship
For a tree form, establish a single trunk with several main branches. For a hedge, retain selected basal stems and shape the plant to the available space. The plant can also be espaliered where a flatter form is useful.
Watering, pruning, and routine care
Water in response to conditions
Keep a newly planted shrub supplied with water as it establishes. Once established, pay particular attention during prolonged dry weather: drought can cause leaf and fruit drop. Good drainage remains important; extra water is not a substitute for a suitable site.
Best Value
- Versatile, and easy to grow with an upright branching form, edible flowers, and tropical fruit! Fleshy white flower petals have showy red accents, contrasting nicely with the gray-green foliage. Tasty guava-like fruit ripens in late fall. Easily trained as espalier, a hedge, or a small specimen tree for landscape or container. Evergreen.
- Evokes either a Mediterranean or tropical character in gardens. The coloring of this foliage complements western natives that have very pale, gray or hairy foliage. Plant as a background or specimen for the flowers. In warm climates use as a fruit tree in orchards. Excellent screen or single specimen plant.
- Grows easily in average to rich, well-drained soils. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates mild drought. Feed with a slow-release fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.Pruning time: spring; no pruning is needed, except to maintain desired shape.
- A versatile, easy to grow landscape addition, yielding edible flowers and tropical fruit! Fleshy white flower petals have showy red accents, contrasting nicely with the gray green foliage. Tasty guava-like fruit ripens in late fall. Multiple, upright branching form is easily trained as espalier, hedge or small specimen tree.
- Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape.
Prune lightly to maintain the chosen form
Minimal pruning is usually needed beyond establishing and maintaining the plant’s structure. Shorten shoots to control spread or open the canopy, and remove unwanted suckers if they interfere with the selected form. Avoid imposing a rigid pruning calendar: timing recommendations depend on region and growing situation.
When to expect fruit and how to harvest it
UF/IFAS reports that a first harvest commonly begins 2–4 years after planting; plants may take 8–10 years to reach maturity and full fruiting potential. These are reported timelines, not a promise for every plant or garden.
In Florida, UF/IFAS reports that fruit matures about 20–26 weeks after flowering. The harvest season depends on cultivar and location, so use the fruit’s condition rather than a calendar date alone. Ripe fruit drops, softens, and becomes a lighter green. Collect fallen fruit frequently to reduce bruising and loss.
Problems to watch for
Extension sources generally describe pineapple guava as having few serious pest or disease problems. Scale and fruit flies are mentioned as regional possibilities, but that general information does not justify routine pesticide treatment.
- Leaf or fruit drop during prolonged drought may indicate the plant needs water.
- Frost can injure foliage or fruit; the reported temperature thresholds are not guarantees for a particular cultivar or exposure.
- Wind can damage weaker branches and bruise fruit.
- Poor fruit set may reflect cultivar pollination needs or local flowering conditions.
- Collect ripe fallen fruit promptly to limit bruising or loss.
Identify a specific pest or disease before choosing a control, and use local extension advice for diagnosis and treatment.
Quick Recap
Sources for regional growing details
- UF/IFAS, Growing Feijoa Fruit in Florida (2021) covers Florida climate, pollination, spacing, pruning, and crop timing.
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, Pineapple Guava provides home-landscape guidance on site, cultivar selection, ripeness, and fruiting age.
- NC State Extension, Acca sellowiana offers a regional profile and named cultivar examples.
- UC Cooperative Extension Sonoma County, Pineapple Guava offers regional landscape and pollination observations.
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