Guava Berry Plant Care
Psidium amplexicaule Pers.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's striking feature is its vibrant red and green leaves, which are oval-shaped and glossy. Originating from South America, Psidium amplexicaule is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique coloration and tropical appearance, making it a standout addition to any indoor plant collection.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Guava Berry?
Plant Guava Berry in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 10b–12b) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Guava Berry Native To?
What Is the Guava Berry?
Guava Berry (Psidium amplexicaule) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Psidium genus. Guava Berry is native to the Caribbean and northeastern Brazil. Guava Berry is also known as Yellow Strawberry Guava, Wild Guava.
Guava Berry displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Guava Berry produces white flowers with prominent stamens.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Guava Berry?
Water a young or newly planted Guava Berry 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Guava Berry Need?
Guava Berry thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Guava Berry Prefer?
Psidium amplexicaule tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Guava Berry prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Guava Berry?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Guava Berry to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Guava Berry?
Feed Guava Berry 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Guava Berry?
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.
Guava Berry is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.
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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Guava Berry?
Guava Berry 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.
How Do You Prune a Guava Berry?
Prune Guava Berry 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.
How Do You Care for a Guava Berry in Winter?
Guava Berry is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Guava Berry?
Guava Berry can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to guava plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Guava Berry Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Guava Berry, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Guava Berry?
Guava Berry 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Guava Berry Need?
Guava Berry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Guava Berry is native to the Caribbean and northeastern Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Guava Berry as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Guava Berry is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Psidium genus — compare its care with other Psidium species on PlantoScan.
Psidium is part of the Myrtaceae plant family — browse all Myrtaceae genera and species.
Guava Berry thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Psidium Species
Other Psidium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Psidium amplexicaule Pers., family Myrtaceae (first published in Syn. Pl. 2: 27 (1806)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Guava Berry, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
