Guava

Intro: Guava thrives in Homestead's heat and tolerates a range of soils. It is productive, fragrant, and a good first tropical fruit tree.

Quick facts

• Botanical name: Psidium guajava
• Size: 10-25 ft; prune to keep it manageable
• Fruit: pink, white or red flesh depending on variety; can bear more than once a year
• Cold tolerance: better than most tropicals, though young trees need protection

Growing notes

• Full sun; tolerates limestone soil.
• Prune regularly, since fruit forms on new growth.
• Feed several times a year with a balanced fertilizer with micronutrients.
• Bag fruit to reduce fruit fly damage.

Common problems: Caribbean fruit fly, whiteflies, scale, anthracnose.

FAQ

• Which variety is best? We grow Thai Guava, Chinese Honey Guava, Indian Guava (Small), Ruby Red. Honey Guava is the best.
• Can I eat the seeds? Yes, though some varieties have hard seeds.