How to Grow Hawaiian Pepperwood

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Hawaiian Pepperwood

Psidium cattleianum subsp. litttorale var. longipes

shrub

Hawaiian pepperwood, also known as strawberry guava, is a tropical evergreen shrub native to Hawaii that produces small, aromatic, red to dark purple fruits. The plant is valued for its ornamental foliage, fragrant white flowers, and flavorful fruit that can be eaten fresh or used in preserves. It thrives in warm climates and is relatively low-maintenance once established.

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Example Hawaiian Pepperwood timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Hawaiian Pepperwood
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Hawaiian Pepperwood
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Hawaiian Pepperwood dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade, 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily for best fruiting

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Water: Moderate watering; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during growing season. Once established, fairly drought-tolerant. Reduce watering in cooler months.

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Spacing: 60 inches

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Days to maturity: 180-240 days to first fruit (from establishment); plants may take 2-3 years to produce heavily

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Planting depth: Same depth as root ball for transplants; seeds planted ¼ inch deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy to loamy soil

pH: 5.5-7.0

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure to improve fertility Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives best in USDA zones 10-11; can tolerate brief exposure to 29°F (-2°C) when established

10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

4-8 weeks

Small plants with oval, glossy green leaves emerging from soil; slow initial growth

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright indirect light. Protect from wind. May take 4-6 weeks to establish true leaves.

Vegetative Growth

6-12 months

Shrub developing bushy form with dense, glossy foliage; aromatic leaves if touched or crushed

Water regularly during dry periods. Light pruning to encourage branching. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer during growing season. Mulch around base.

Flowering

4-8 weeks (may flower multiple times per year in ideal conditions)

Small white, fragrant flowers appearing in leaf axils, typically in spring and early summer

Ensure adequate water and sunlight to support flower production. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which promotes foliage over flowers. Flowers are self-fertile and attract pollinators.

Fruiting

8-12 weeks per crop

Small round fruits developing from spent flowers, gradually ripening from green to red or dark purple over 2-3 months

Maintain consistent moisture as fruits develop. Continue regular watering but reduce nitrogen fertilizer. Do not disturb ripening fruits. Fruits are ripe when soft and deeply colored.

Harvest & Dormancy

Ongoing; reduced activity in winter (2-3 months)

Mature fruits ready for harvest; plant may slow growth in cooler months

Pick ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production. Reduce watering in winter. Light pruning after harvest can rejuvenate the plant for next season's flowering.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Guava Mango Passion fruit Ti plant Ixora Heliconia

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut (produces allelopathic compounds) Plants requiring acidic conditions below 5.5 pH

Common Pests

Spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days; prune heavily infested branches; encourage natural predators like ladybugs
Remove fallen or overripe fruit promptly; use fruit traps; maintain good sanitation; harvest ripe fruit regularly
Spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil; increase humidity to encourage natural predators; yellow sticky traps
Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe; ensure adequate moisture in soil

Uses

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Fresh fruit and preserves

Culinary

Fruits are eaten fresh, offering a sweet-tart flavor reminiscent of strawberries and guava. They are commonly made into jams, jellies, juices, and desserts throughout Hawaii and tropical regions. [source]

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Traditional herbal remedy

Medicinal

In Hawaiian and traditional tropical medicine, leaves and fruits are used to treat digestive issues, diarrhea, and inflammation. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. [source]

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Natural fragrance

Household

The aromatic leaves release a pleasant, peppery-citrus fragrance when crushed or brushed against, making the plant valuable for sensory gardens and natural air freshening. [source]

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Wildlife food and habitat

Wildlife

Flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Fruits are consumed by native and introduced birds, supporting local wildlife ecosystems in tropical regions. [source]

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Ornamental landscaping

Craft

The attractive evergreen foliage, fragrant flowers, and decorative fruits make it a popular specimen plant in tropical and subtropical gardens for hedging, screening, and accent planting. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest fruits when they are fully colored and slightly soft to the touch—ripe fruits fall easily from the branch or can be gently pulled. In Hawaii, fruits typically ripen in summer through fall. Fruits continue ripening after harvest if picked when red but still slightly firm. Use sharp pruners to avoid damaging branches. Wear gloves as aromatic oils on leaves can irritate sensitive skin.

Fun Facts

🌱 Hawaiian pepperwood is considered invasive in some tropical regions outside Hawaii because it spreads readily via bird-dispersed seeds and can outcompete native vegetation, despite being native to Hawaii itself.
🌱 The plant's common name 'pepperwood' refers to the peppery aroma of its crushed leaves, not the fruit flavor; early Hawaiian settlers valued it for this distinctive scent.
🌱 In Hawaii, the fruit is locally called 'mountain apple' or 'strawberry guava' and has been cultivated for over 200 years, though it is actually native to South America and was introduced to Hawaii by early Polynesian voyagers and later European settlers.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade True Leaves

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