Sour Guava Plant Care

Sour Guava (Psidium acidum) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Psidium genus. Sour Guava is native to Peru and Ecuador.

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

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sour Guava 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.

Sour Guava thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Psidium acidum tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Sour Guava prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Sour Guava to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sour Guava 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 loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sour Guava is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Sour Guava 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 Sour Guava 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.

Sour Guava is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Sour Guava can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to guava plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Sour Guava is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, fruit flies. 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.

Sour Guava grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Sour Guava is native to Peru and Ecuador. In cooler regions, grow Sour Guava as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.