How to grow Feijoa in Australia
Grow feijoa in full sun in free-draining soil, where this hardy shrub tolerates wind and some dryness once established. Water regularly while fruit develops for a good crop.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 4 days
- Spacing: 300 cm
- Time to harvest: 730 days (about 2 years)
- Time to germinate: 21 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | May to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | May to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | May to August | Good winter chill. Reliable fruiting. Sheltered sunny spot. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | May to August | Excellent in Melbourne. Good chill, sheltered sunny spot. Plant two for pollination. |
| Adelaide & SA | May to August | Reliable in Adelaide. Sheltered spot with good drainage. |
| Perth & WA | May to August | Reliable in Perth. Good drainage essential in sandy soils. |
| Tasmania | September to November | Plant Sep to Nov. Reliable in Tasmania - choose early-ripening varieties so fruit beats the frost. |
| Canberra & ACT | May to August | Reliable in sheltered spots. Good chill. |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not viable. Needs winter chill. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Needs winter chill. |
Varieties
- Mammoth
- Apollo
- Gemini
Companion planting
Good companions
- Fruit trees
- Comfrey
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Fruit is ripe when it drops to the ground, as it rarely sweetens fully on the bush. Gather fallen fruit daily and let very firm ones soften a day or two indoors.
Storage
Ripen on bench until slightly soft. Fridge for 1 week. Freeze pulp for months.