Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá) Psidium cattleianum
Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá) (Psidium cattleianum) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Myrtaceae family, native to Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil and Uruguay. It grows 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
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Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Mature height | 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil and Uruguay |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇵🇹 Portugal |
| Invasive in | Hawaii, Mauritius, Réunion, Galápagos, Florida, French Polynesia: check local rules before planting |
Is Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
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 Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Guava: Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) infects guava, feijoa, Surinam cherry and many other Myrtaceae; it spreads by airborne spores between them. Evidence B
Questions about Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá)
- How far apart should I plant Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá)?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá) flower?
- From about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá) 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. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Strawberry guava (cattley guava, araçá). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Flora e Funga do Brasil, Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (REFLORA)
Notes and assumptions
- Glossy leaves, smooth bronze bark and purple-red (or yellow) fruit with a strawberry-like taste. Listed among the world’s 100 worst invasive species; birds spread the seed into native forest. Also spelled P. cattleyanum.
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
- Guava Psidium guajava
- 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