Psidium guajava
Guava (Psidium guajava; also common guava; apple guava; guayaba) is a Myrtaceae fruit plant grown for its berry. This page treats the accepted species name as canonical and uses the common name as a navigational alias.
| 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 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.
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.
Photos
No verified Commons image is included yet; add one only after checking the individual file page and license.
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.