How to grow Feijoa in Australia
Feijoa is a tough, evergreen South American shrub with grey-green leaves, showy red and white flowers and egg-shaped green fruit that tastes of pineapple, guava and mint. It grows from cool to subtropical climates, handles wind and dry spells once established, and makes a useful edible hedge. The fruit is ready when it falls from the bush.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Feijoa (Pineapple Guava) in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | 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. |
Not to be confused with: Guava, a tropical relative with round fruit, sometimes confused because feijoa is also sold as pineapple guava.
Where to plant
Plant feijoa in full sun in well-drained soil improved with compost or an organic fertiliser before planting. It suits cool to subtropical climates and copes with wind once established, which is why it is so often grown as a hedge or windbreak. Young plants are frost tender until established, so protect them in their first winter in cold areas.
Most feijoas will set fruit on their own, but almost all crop more heavily when another feijoa flowers nearby at the same time. If you have room, plant two different varieties.
- Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra: reliable. Plant from May to August in a sheltered, sunny spot. In Perth's sandy soils, good drainage is easy but water through summer while fruit develops.
- Hobart: plant from September to November. Choose early-ripening varieties so the fruit ripens before the frosts.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: plant from May to August. Fruit fly is the main problem in these warm, humid areas.
- North Queensland and Darwin: our calendar marks these as unsuitable, as feijoa needs a cooler winter to flower and fruit well.
How to plant
- Dig in compost or a pelletised organic fertiliser over a wide area before planting.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.
- Water the plant in its pot well, then plant it at the same depth it sat in the pot.
- Water in deeply and mulch, keeping the mulch clear of the stem.
- On young plants, pinch out the growing tips to make a bushier shrub.
- For a hedge, plant them closer together than for a single shrub.
Watering and feeding
Water young plants regularly until established. Older feijoas tolerate dry spells, but they are healthier and crop far better with regular watering, especially while the fruit develops. In hot weather, give a deep watering once or twice a week.
Feed from spring until the end of harvest with a fertiliser for fruit trees that is rich in potassium, following the packet rate, and mulch the root zone each spring.
Pruning and care through the year
- Prune lightly straight after harvest, in late autumn or winter. Thin crowded branches to let in light, and shorten long shoots to keep the shrub to a size you can net and pick.
- Feijoa takes clipping well as a hedge. Light pruning after harvest keeps it in shape.
- Net the bush before fruit ripens if birds are a problem.
Harvesting
Feijoas ripen from early autumn to early winter. The fruit stays green when ripe, so colour is no guide. It is ready when it starts to fall from the bush naturally, or comes away with the lightest touch. Spread mulch or a sheet under the bush and collect fallen fruit every day.
Ripe fruit is slightly soft and fragrant. Firm fruit can be left on the bench for a day or two to soften. Eat within about a week, keeping it in the fridge, or freeze the pulp.
Growing in pots
Feijoa grows well in a large pot at least 50 cm wide with good drainage, filled with a quality potting mix. Water regularly, as pots dry out quickly, and feed through spring and summer. Prune to keep it compact. A potted feijoa will fruit on its own, but crops better with another nearby.
Using it
Cut a feijoa in half and scoop out the jelly-like centre and flesh with a teaspoon. It is also good in jam, chutney, crumbles, cakes and smoothies. The flowers' fleshy petals are sweet and edible too.
Varieties
- Mammoth
- Apollo
- Gemini
Companion planting
Feijoa is a large shrub that needs its root zone mulched and kept clear of competition.
Good companions
- Comfrey Its leaves can be cut and laid under the bush as a mulch that feeds the soil. Keep it away from the stem, and note it is hard to remove once planted.
- Fruit trees A feijoa hedge or windbreak shelters a small orchard. Give each tree its own root space.
Pests and diseases
Feijoa has few problems in cool areas. In warm, humid areas fruit fly is the main pest.
Pests to watch for
- Fruit fly Small puncture marks on the fruit, which rots inside. Collect fallen fruit daily, use traps and baits, or net the bush.
- Guava moth Caterpillars tunnelling into the fruit. A native moth found from Queensland to Tasmania that also attacks guava, citrus and stone fruit; collect and destroy fallen fruit.
- Scale Small bumps on the stems and leaves, sticky honeydew and black sooty mould.
- Caterpillars Leaves rolled and stuck together with silk, with a small caterpillar inside.
- Birds Ripening and fallen fruit pecked. Net the bush and collect fruit promptly.
Feijoa is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
How do I know when feijoas are ripe?
Feijoas stay green when ripe. They are ready when they start dropping from the bush or come away at the lightest touch. Collect fallen fruit every day, and let firm ones soften on the bench for a day or two.
Do I need two feijoa trees?
Most feijoas will set some fruit on their own, but almost all crop more heavily with another feijoa flowering nearby at the same time. Plant two different varieties if you have room.
How long does a feijoa take to fruit?
A grafted plant usually fruits within about three years. Plants grown from seed take longer and the fruit varies.
Can feijoa be grown as a hedge?
Yes. It is tough, wind tolerant and takes clipping well. Plant closer than for a single shrub and prune lightly after harvest so it still fruits.
Can I grow feijoa in Queensland?
In south east Queensland, yes, planted from May to August, but fruit fly is a serious problem, so use traps, baits or netting. In the tropics it does not fruit well.
When should I prune a feijoa?
Straight after harvest, in late autumn or winter. Thin crowded branches and shorten long shoots. Pinch the tips of young plants to make them bushy.
How do I eat a feijoa?
Cut it in half and scoop out the flesh with a teaspoon. The skin is edible, but most people leave it. The fruit is also good in jam, chutney and baking.
Sources we checked: Yates: How to grow feijoa; Wikipedia: Coscinoptycha improbana (guava moth); Wikipedia: Feijoa.