Guava Psidium guajava
Guava (Psidium guajava) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Myrtaceae family, native to Central America and northern South America. It grows 3–5 m (10–16 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Guava in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Guava at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Mature height | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 4–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit, leaves (tea) |
| Native to | Central America and northern South America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇮🇳 India, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
| Invasive in | US (Hawaii, Florida), Galapagos (Ecuador), Pacific islands, South Africa (NEMBA 3): check local rules before planting |
Is Guava toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references; the hard seeds are not meant to be chewed.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Guava
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With the Myrtaceae family: Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) infects guava, feijoa, Surinam cherry and many other Myrtaceae; it spreads by airborne spores between them. Evidence B
Questions about Guava
- How far apart should I plant Guava?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Guava need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Guava need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Guava?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Guava flower?
- From about March for 4–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Guava poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references; the hard seeds are not meant to be chewed.
- What grows well with Guava?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Guava. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Young plants are killed at about −2 °C but often resprout from the base. Self-fertile; insects raise yield. Check local weed lists before planting near natural areas.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lemon myrtle Backhousia citriodora
- Feijoa Acca sellowiana
- Surinam cherry (pitanga) Eugenia uniflora
- Cider gum (eucalyptus) Eucalyptus gunnii
- Lilly pilly Syzygium smithii
- Crimson bottlebrush Melaleuca citrina
- Mānuka (tea tree) Leptospermum scoparium
- Pōhutukawa (NZ Christmas tree) Metrosideros excelsa