Psidium guajava

Guava (Psidium guajava; also common guava; apple guava; guayaba) is a Myrtaceae fruit plant grown for its berry.

Psidium guajava fruit, flower, or plant habit. Wikimedia Commons file page.
Guava (Psidium guajava )
Scientific name	Psidium guajava
Genus	Psidium
Family	Myrtaceae
Order	Myrtales
Fruit type	Berry
Growth form	Evergreen shrub or small tree
Climate and hardiness	Tropical to subtropical; tolerates brief light frost when mature
Mature height	3–10 m
Mature width	3–8 m
Soil	Adaptable, from sand to clay if drainage is adequate; tolerates moderate salinity better than many fruit trees
Water	Regular moisture for production; established plants tolerate dry periods
Sun	Full sun
Germination	2–8 weeks; seedling plants are variable
Years to fruit	2–4 years from seed or grafted plants
Pollination	Self-fertile, with bees increasing fruit set; cross-pollination can improve yield
Harvest	Often year-round in the tropics; seasonal crops in subtropics

Identification and description

Common guava is a vigorous Myrtaceae shrub or small tree with fragrant white flowers and berries whose flesh may be white, pink, or red. Cultivars vary greatly in seediness, aroma, texture, and fruit size.

The accepted genus, family, and order are Psidium, Myrtaceae, and Myrtales. Common names may cover related taxa; check the scientific name before transferring cultivation advice.

Growing

Guava occupies disturbed forest, woodland margins, and open tropical sites from humid to seasonally dry climates. It tolerates a broad soil range, but full sun, pruning, and good airflow improve flowering and fruit quality.

Guava is naturally a plant of warm, often seasonally dry habitats, forest edges, and disturbed ground. It responds to pruning and can be kept compact. Heavy wet soils, excessive nitrogen, and dense canopies increase disease and reduce fruit quality.

Soil

Adaptable, from sand to clay if drainage is adequate; tolerates moderate salinity better than many fruit trees.

Sun and humidity

Full sun. Native habitat and airflow matter as much as light intensity; avoid enclosing humid foliage without ventilation.

Seasonal changes

Flowering can follow a dry interval, pruning, or renewed irrigation. In humid tropics, several crops may occur; in subtropical climates the main flowering period is warmer and fruit may be damaged by cool weather. Keep roots moist during flowering and fruit enlargement but avoid saturation.

Propagation

Seed is easy but does not preserve cultivar traits. Air-layering, cuttings, budding, and grafting are used for selected fruit types. Remove suckers if a clean trunk is desired, or retain them for a multi-stem shrub.

Field view or fruit detail of Psidium guajava. Wikimedia Commons file page.

Flowering, fruiting, and harvest

Often year-round in the tropics; seasonal crops in subtropics. Flowering and ripening are strongly affected by latitude, cultivar, rootstock, rainfall, and temperature; local records are more useful than a single universal calendar.

Fruit and uses

Eat ripe guava fresh, with or without the skin, or process it into juice, nectar, paste, jelly, jam, and desserts. Green fruit is used in preserves and savory preparations. The fruit is rich in aroma and vitamin C.

Commentary

Growers are invited to share observations about Guava on the talk page, especially climate, provenance, propagation method, plant age, flowering season, and fruit quality.

Photos

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

• Purdue NewCROP: Guava
• UF/IFAS: Guava
• Useful Tropical Plants: Psidium guajava

Image credits

• Starr 020803-0117 Psidium guajava.jpg — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.
• Psidium guajava at Kadavoor.jpg — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.