How to grow Guava in Australia
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil with shelter from strong wind, in a warm frost-free position. Water regularly and deeply, especially while young and during fruiting, and feed with a balanced fertiliser through the growing season.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 10 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 400 cm
- Time to harvest: 1095 days (about 3 years)
- Time to germinate: 21 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to March | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to March | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to January | Marginal tropical; tolerates Sydney but frost-sensitive seedlings need protection. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Frost-sensitive; Melbourne winter kills young plants. Unsuitable unless in heated greenhouse or protected microclimate. |
| Adelaide & SA | September and October | Plant Sep to Oct after frost in a warm sheltered spot. Water deeply through summer; young trees need frost cloth in the Hills. |
| Perth & WA | September to November | Plant Sep to Nov in a warm sheltered spot. Mulch the sand heavily and water deeply through summer. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Subtropical fruit killed by hard frost. Not viable outdoors. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Guava unsuitable for Canberra: tropical; frost-intolerant despite extended tropical season. Use fig or cherry instead. |
| North Queensland | September to March | Wet season. Guava is tropical staple fruit; fruits year-round in north. Thrives in humidity. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to March | Wet season. Guava is tropical staple fruit; fruits year-round in north. Thrives in humidity. |
Varieties
- Hawaiian (Pineapple Guava)
- Strawberry Guava (Cherry Guava)
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Ripe fruit softens slightly, fills with fragrance and changes colour. Twist or cut from the branch, and pick often as fruit ripens in waves.
Storage
Bench until ripe (fragrant, slightly soft), then fridge for 3 to 4 days.