Feijoa sellowiana ( Pineapple Guava ) is an evergreen fruit shrub that is native to temperate regions of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Pineapple Guava shrubs not only produce popular egg-sized fruits but is widely grown as an ornamental flowering hedge. The fruits taste like a combination of pineapple and guava with hint of spearmint but spoils quickly which is why they aren’t often seen in supermarkets.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
Recently the botanical name was changed to Acca sellowiana while it also commonly known as Brazilian Guava, Fig Guava and Guavasteen.
Growth
Feijoa sellowiana is an evergreen shrub that bears fruit and reaches heights of around 5 metres (15 feet). It can take 3-5 years to reach flowering age and will require multiple plants to pollinate and produce fruit. Hand pollination can produce excellent results but requires skills and time to apply. Check out this video here and scroll to 1:30 to see how to hand pollinate Feijoa flowers.
They prefer climates that range between 5 to 25°C / 41 to 77°F and then require at least 50 hours of winter chill (0 to 7°C / 32 to 45°F) to properly set fruit. In Australia, Pineapple Guavas can fruit in places as cold as Hobart to as far north as Bundaberg in Queensland.
Flowering runs from late spring to early summer with fruit setting in late summer and autumn. Their flowers are 2.5 cm (one inch) across, bisexual and borne singly or in a cluster. Each flower has long, bright red stamens with large grains of yellow pollen on the ends. Petals are edible, sweet and added to salads. They also attract birds who help achieve pollination while eating them.
FAMILY:
Myrtaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-15 to 30°C / 5 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist, rich and well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 5 metres (15 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 5 metres (15 feet)
pH:
5.5-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Requires multiple plants to cross pollinate.
MATURITY:
3-5 years.
GERMINATION RATES:
65-75%
GERMINATION TIME:
Soak for an hour and then germination from 3-4 weeks.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 150
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT FEIJOA SELLOWIANA (Pineapple Guava)
Pineapple Guava fruit is eaten raw but it can also be made into pies, cakes, puddings and jams. The Feijoa has recently become used in cosmetics as an exfoliant.
Supermarkets don’t often stock Pineapple Guavas as they spoil within a few days. Attempts have been made in New Zealand but the largest commercial success by far is through plant sales at nurseries.
