Acca sellowiana
Feijoa (Acca sellowiana; also known as feijoa) is a Myrtaceae fruit plant grown for its fruit. The accepted scientific name is used as the canonical page title.
 | |
| Feijoa (Acca sellowiana) | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Acca sellowiana |
| Genus | Acca |
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Growth and size | Evergreen shrub or small tree; 3–7 m |
| Climate and site | Well-drained acidic to neutral soil; mild subtropical climate |
| Propagation | Fresh seed variable; cuttings or grafting for named cultivars |
| Fruit and harvest | Usually autumn; green aromatic fruit drops when mature |
Identification and description[edit | edit source]
Feijoa is a cool-tolerant Myrtaceae shrub with aromatic green fruit and edible flowers. It prefers mild seasons, sun, drainage, and enough winter chill for reliable flowering.
The accepted genus, family, and order are Acca, Myrtaceae, and Myrtales.
Growing[edit | edit source]
Feijoa is a cool-subtropical South American shrub of upland grassland and woodland margins. It tolerates light frost, wants sun and drainage, and often fruits best where warm days are followed by cooler nights.
Well-drained acidic to neutral soil; mild subtropical climate. Provide airflow and avoid standing water unless the species is being grown in a deliberately wet habitat.
Soil[edit | edit source]
Well-drained acidic to neutral soil; mild subtropical climate; preserve native drainage and organic-matter conditions rather than treating all tropical fruit trees alike.
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Most plants in this group prefer bright light; young trees may need shelter while roots establish. Humidity should be paired with airflow, not stagnant enclosure.
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
Flowering and harvest vary with local wet/dry or cool/warm cycles. Adjust irrigation to the species' native rhythm and protect warm-tropical plants during cool weather.
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Fresh seed variable; cuttings or grafting for named cultivars. Seedlings may vary in fruit quality and maturity; use grafting or other clonal methods when a named selection must be preserved.
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
Usually autumn; green aromatic fruit drops when mature. Local climate, cultivar, rootstock, pollination, and rainfall can shift the calendar substantially.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The ripe fruit is eaten fresh and may be used in drinks, preserves, desserts, or regional savory preparations. Handle ripe fruit carefully because many tropical fruits soften rapidly after harvest.
Cultivars[edit | edit source]
New Zealand growers commonly group feijoa cultivars by early, mid-season, and late harvest. The current industry list includes newer selections such as Anatoki, Kaiteri, Kakariki, and Pounamu alongside established garden varieties such as Unique, Apollo, Mammoth, Triumph, and Wiki Tu.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties">NZ Feijoa Growers Association: Feijoa varieties (accessed 4 August 2026).</ref> Self-fertile selections can set fruit alone, but a second cultivar flowering at the same time generally improves crop size and reliability.<ref name="tui-varieties">Tui: Feijoa variety favourites (accessed 4 August 2026).</ref>
| Cultivar | Season and fruit | Pollination, habit, or other notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anatoki | Very early; begins about 2–3 weeks before Unique; good-sized, smooth fruit with a sweet, mild flavor | Compact habit; needs a pollinator. A newer selection bred by Roy Hart.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties" /> |
| Kaiteri | Early and extends its crop; large, smooth fruit | Prolific, vigorous, and upright; needs a pollinator. Bred by Roy Hart.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties" /><ref name="tui-varieties" /> |
| Kakariki | Very early; exceptionally sweet, large fruit | Needs a pollinator; the name refers to green in Māori.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties" /><ref name="tui-varieties" /> |
| Pounamu | Early; medium-sized fruit with very dark skin, aromatic rich flavor, and a good sugar-to-acid balance | Good storage; a newer selection bred by Roy Hart.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties" /> |
| Unique | Very early; medium-sized fruit with smooth, soft, juicy flesh and mild aroma | Reliable self-fertility and good keeping quality; useful where only one tree can be planted.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties" /><ref name="tui-varieties" /> |
| Apollo | Mid-season; large fruit, sometimes uneven in shape, with sweet flavor and good eating quality | Delicate and bruises easily; vigorous, upright, spreading, and semi-self-fertile.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties" /><ref name="tui-varieties" /> |
| Den’s Choice | Mid-season; medium-large, very sweet, smooth, juicy fruit with mild aroma | Good keeper.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties" /> |
| Mammoth | Mid- to late-season; medium-sized, moderately soft and juicy, somewhat grainy fruit | A pollinator improves fruit size; Triumph is commonly recommended as a partner. The fruit can have empty internal locules.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties" /><ref name="tui-varieties" /> |
| Opal Star | Late; medium-sized fruit with smooth dark skin and a rich, aromatic flavor | Compact, slow-growing, bushy habit; useful for a home hedge.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties" /><ref name="tui-varieties" /> |
| Triumph | Late; medium-sized, firm-skinned fruit with sharp flavor; stores well | Slightly gritty, juicy flesh; a useful pollinator for Mammoth, but itself benefits from another cultivar.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties" /><ref name="tui-varieties" /> |
| Wiki™ Tu | Late; large, mild-flavored fruit with firm texture and good keeping quality | Dwarf-growing tree to about 2.5 m; partially self-fertile and more reliable with a nearby pollinator. Some fruit may contain hollow locules.<ref name="nzgfa-varieties" /><ref name="tui-varieties" /> |
For a long harvest, combine at least one early, one mid-season, and one late cultivar. The exact calendar varies by region, crop load, and season; cultivar names and availability also differ between commercial production and home-garden nurseries. Named cultivars should be propagated clonally when their fruit, harvest timing, or pollination traits need to be preserved. Seedlings are useful pollinizers but are genetically variable and should not be assumed to reproduce the parent cultivar.
Commentary[edit | edit source]
Growers are welcome to share observations on the talk page, including climate, provenance, propagation method, plant age, flowering, fruiting, and growing conditions.
Photos[edit | edit source]
The images above show documented fruit, flower, or plant-habit views. See the individual Commons file pages in the image credits for authorship and license details.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Useful Tropical Plants: Acca sellowiana
- NZ Feijoa Growers Association: Feijoa varieties
- Tui: Feijoa variety favourites
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Acca sellowiana Fruit MHNT Fronton.jpg — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.
- Feijoa sellowiana .jpg — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.
