How to grow guava trees outdoors – tropical fruit experts reveal the secrets to success

Guavas are tropical fruits with a unique, sweet taste and offer great nutritional and health benefits. The fruits, which can be yellow or red, are rich in vitamins and antioxidants and are popular dessert additions, or they can be eaten fresh off the tree. If you are a fan, you may wonder whether it is possible to grow guava at home.

Guava trees (Psidium sp.) can be grown indoors or outdoors, depending on your climate. There is no mistaking the fact that these tropical fruit trees need warmth and humidity, and they dislike cold, winds, and frosts. It primarily makes them suitable for warmer tropical and subtropical climates, but there is scope to grow them in containers or indoors.

If you are interested in learning how to grow guava, this guide hears from two tropical fruit experts and looks in-depth at where to plant guava along with the important maintenance tasks to get right for healthy and thriving fruit trees.

How to grow guava - an expert guide

Guava are tropical trees native to Central and South America. They are suitable for growing outdoors year-round in warmer US hardiness zones 9-11. However, guava is very tender and cannot tolerate frost or cold winds. An alternative is to grow guava indoors in a greenhouse or as an indoor plant in a sunroom in cooler climates.

There are different varieties of guava to choose from, with the fruits coming in a variety of shapes, flavors and colors. Some of the most popular varieties include tropical, cattley, cas, apple, strawberry, or pineapple guava.

It has to be noted that guava - particularly strawberry guava - is considered an invasive plant in Florida and Hawaii. They are aggressive-growing shrubs or trees that take over wild areas and shade out other plants. It is important to do research before thinking about planting guava.

How to grow guava - planting tips

Guava trees are suitable for tropical garden ideas and need lots of sun and warmth. Ideally, guavas want at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the best fruit.

It is vital to guarantee as much direct sunlight daily as possible when picking where to plant the fruit tree. The planting site also wants to be protected from winds and away from buildings, structures, and other trees.

Tatiana Anderson, a tropical plant expert from Top Tropicals, claims that guava can thrive in a variety of climates and soil types. She says: ‘They prefer well-draining soils rich in organic matter but are adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy or loamy soils.’

‘Slightly acidic to neutral soil is ideal. While guavas tolerate poor soils, enriching the soil with compost or manure will improve growth and yield,’ adds Tatiana. Drainage is important as guava will not thrive in waterlogged soils, and adding organic matter will also boost the structure and help drain excess moisture.

Guava trees need to be planted at least 15-20 feet apart to give them space to grow and ensure good levels of air circulation and sun penetration to keep trees healthy and prospering.

Tatiana Anderson

Tatiana Anderson is the co-owner and co-founder of Top Tropicals, based in Fort Myers, Florida. Top Tropicals grow and sell a whole range of flowering and fruiting tropical plants. You can discover a range of guava fruit trees available at Top Tropicals.

How to grow guava - care tips

• Watering - Guava trees require consistent watering, especially during their first year. Deep watering once or twice a week in the first growing season will help the tree develop a strong root system. Once established, guava are relatively drought-tolerant fruit trees but still benefit from watering during dry periods or when the tree is fruiting. Ensure the soil is consistently moist and avoid over-watering, as waterlogged soil may lead to root rot.
• Fertilizing - Guavas are hungry fruit trees that require regular feeding throughout the growing season. Katie Brines from Stark Bros recommends: ‘Feed guava trees every 2-3 months during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) and add organic compost annually to maintain soil health.’ Any product to fertilize fruit trees should be balanced but rich in potassium and phosphorus to promote flowering and fruiting. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which promote lush foliage growth.
• Pruning - Tatiana Anderson claims that pruning is ‘essential for maintaining the shape, size, and productivity of guava trees’. She adds: ‘Prune guavas annually, ideally after the fruiting season, to encourage new growth and improve airflow.’ Important steps for pruning the fruit tree include removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain health and thinning or shaping the canopy to allow light to penetrate, which helps fruit production. Annual pruning can also control the height of guava trees.
• Harvesting - It often takes just a couple of years from planting a guava tree sourced from a nursery or specialist retailer to starting to produce fruit. However, the wait will be longer if you opt to grow a guava tree from seed. The fruit ripens around 20-28 weeks after flowering and the signs of ripe guava include a change in color, a sweet aroma, and the fruits having a slight softness when pressed. Ripe fruits can be picked by hand or with clean and sharp pruning shears or snips. It is best to let fruits ripen on the tree, though green fruits can be ripened indoors at room temperature.

Katie Brines

Katie Brines is a gardener and grower, as well as being part of the small marketing team at Stark Bro's. The nursery has provided quality fruit trees, nut trees, berry plants, and garden plants across America for over 200 years. 

FAQs

Can you grow guava in a container?

Yes, guavas make ideal fruit trees to grow in pots for small spaces and urban gardens - plus they can be moved indoors for winter protection. You will need two guava trees for cross-pollination if you want fruits from the tree.

Katie Brines from Stark Bro's offers this advice for growing guava trees in containers. ‘Use a container of at least 15-20 gallons and well-draining potting soil,’ she says. ‘Keep the container in a sunny location and ensure it has good drainage to prevent root rot.’

Guava trees in containers will require more watering than plants in the ground, so regularly check the moisture levels a few inches under the surface to judge when to water plants in containers. Trees in pots also need more regular fertilizing and will benefit from a monthly dose of balanced feed.

Can I grow a guava tree from a guava?

You can grow a guava tree from seed, but it does take patience. It can take up to eight years to get fruit and it is unlikely the resulting trees and fruit will be the same as the parent plant. You can collect seeds from homegrown or store-bought guava and soak them in warm water for at least 24 hours before planting them into small pots filled with a potting mix for starting seeds.

Germinate them somewhere warm, such as in a greenhouse or a propagator on a bright windowsill, and keep seedlings moist as they develop. Transplant the seedlings into larger containers or outdoors once they have 3-4 sets of leaves.

After learning how to grow guava, you may be after more inspiration for tropical fruit to grow at home - so why not consider a loquat tree? These tropical fruit trees hail from China and Japan and have long been symbols of prosperity. Loquat trees produce a rich bounty of golden, sweet fruits in spring ideal for jams, jellies, tarts, and more. To discover more, see our guide to how to grow a loquat tree with tips from our tropical plant experts.