Pineapple guava is an evergreen perennial shrub native to South America in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). Genus name comes from a Peruvian name. Specific epithet honors Friedrich Sello a German botanist. Pineapple guava will reach 10 to 15 ft. in height with an equal spread in tropical areas but in North Carolina will grow 5 to 6 feet with an equal spread. The shrub's habit is relatively open but becomes denser with pruning. Best flowering and fruiting occurs in full sun but tolerates light shade. Consistent soil moisture is important to produce quality fruits. Water deeply and regularly and provide mulch to add nutrients and protect the shallow roots. It also prefers moist, well-drained soil but will tolerate a range of less-than-ideal soils, from sand to heavy clay. There are several cultivars which have been selected primarily for fruit production. 'Coolidge', 'Nazemata' and 'Pineapple Gem' are all good self-pollinating selections, while 'Superba' is a round-fruited form that needs to be planted with another cultivar for good fruit set, and 'Variegata' has white variegated foliage. Propagation of Guava is most reliable from seed which has been separated from the ripe fruit, but cuttings taken in summer are rooted for the propagation of named cultivars. Pineapple guava is an amazingly dramatic shrub or tree in bloom that carries unique character into the garden through the twelve months of the year with its silvered, evergreen foliage. Use this plant as a specimen, in an edible garden, in a container, as a small flowering tree, or for privacy. It adds a tropical flare for coastal gardens. Flowers and fruit are edible. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally problem-free but black scale and fruit flies can occur in some areas.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Open; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Evergreen, green above and whitish pubescence on the underside giving it a silvery appearance underneath, thick, leathery, short-petioled, egg shaped leaves (to 2-3” long and 1” wide) ovate or elliptical. These interesting evergreen leaves provide good winter interest.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Edible; Showy
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Flowers occur singly or in clusters and are 1 inch across, bloom May-June with fleshy white sepals tinged with purple and red stamens with yellow pollen.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Blue; Gold/Yellow; Gray/Silver; Green
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible; Fragrant
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
The 1-3 inch long fruits mature to a waxy blue-grey-green skin with an edible greenish pulp inside. Tree-ripened fruit tastes best. Takes 4-7 months to ripen depending on the climate. Fruits bruise easy .
Bark color
Light Gray
Stem color
Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Branches are tomentose and swollen at nodes
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
South America, Tropical
Wildlife value
Fruits attract birds. This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
Attracts
Songbirds
Play value
Attractive Flowers
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Flowers
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Berry
Edibility
The edible flowers taste like marshmellows and can be eaten like candy. Pair them with berries, or other fruit. Eat them on salads or use them to decorate cakes. Fruits can be eaten raw. Best left on the tree to ripen.