Feijoa Plant Care

Feijoa (Acca sellowiana) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Acca genus. Feijoa is native to eastern Paraguay, northern Argentina and New Zealand. Feijoa is also known as Pineapple Guava, Guava.

Feijoa displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Feijoa produces showy, white or pink flowers with prominent stamens.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Feijoa every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Feijoa thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Acca sellowiana tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Feijoa prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Feijoa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Feijoa every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Feijoa is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Feijoa can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Feijoa while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Feijoa is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Feijoa can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to acca lanuginosa plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Feijoa is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Feijoa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Feijoa is native to eastern Paraguay, northern Argentina and New Zealand.