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How to Grow Strawberry Guava Acacia

Wikimedia Commons

Strawberry Guava Acacia

Psidium cattleianum var. littorale (Acacia is a different genus; this appears to be Strawberry Guava)

fruit

Strawberry Guava is a small evergreen shrub or tree native to Brazil that produces sweet, aromatic red fruits resembling strawberries in flavor and appearance. The plant grows 6-15 feet tall and is prized for its ornamental foliage and prolific fruiting. It thrives in warm climates and can become invasive in tropical regions.

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Example Strawberry Guava Acacia timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Strawberry Guava Acacia

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Strawberry Guava Acacia

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Strawberry Guava Acacia dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily for best fruiting
💧
Water: Moderate watering; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply after planting; reduce frequency once established. More water needed during fruiting and dry seasons.
📏
Spacing: 48 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 180-365 days from transplant; flowers and fruits year-round in ideal conditions
🌱
Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball when transplanting; seeds planted 0.25-0.5 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy loam to loamy soil
pH: 5.5-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Peat moss Sand for drainage Aged manure

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 9b-11; best in frost-free subtropical to tropical climates

9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

4-8 weeks

Small sprouted seedling with first true leaves emerging; fragile and tender

Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide bright indirect light. Protect from direct sun and wind. Maintain warmth (70-80°F).

2

Vegetative Growth

3-6 months

Young plant developing multiple stems and compound foliage; rapid height and spread increase

Water regularly. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer. Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushiness. Ensure full sun exposure.

3

Flowering

Sporadic; can flower multiple times yearly

Small white to pale pink flowers with prominent stamens appear in clusters at branch tips

Maintain consistent moisture. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; increase phosphorus to support blooming. Avoid heavy pruning during flowering.

4

Fruiting

3-4 months per crop

Round to oval fruits 0.5-1.5 inches diameter develop, transitioning from green to deep red when ripe

Maintain regular watering. Continue moderate fertilizing. Support branches if heavily laden with fruit. Monitor for pests attracted to ripening fruit.

5

Harvest Ready

Ongoing during warm months

Fruits fully colored deep crimson-red, soft to gentle pressure, highly fragrant

Harvest ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production. Fruits ripen continuously in warm climates.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Mulberry Passion fruit Mango Papaya Banana Moringa

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut Plants sensitive to root competition Very shallow-rooted vegetables

Common Pests

  • Remove fallen and overripe fruit; use fruit fly traps; maintain sanitation; harvest ripe fruit promptly

  • Spray with horticultural oil; remove affected branches; introduce natural predators like ladybugs

  • Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide if severe; prune affected foliage

  • Remove with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab; spray neem oil; improve air circulation

  • Hand-pick; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); remove affected leaves

Uses

🍳

Fresh eating and preserves

Culinary

Strawberry guava fruits are delicious eaten fresh out of hand, with a flavor reminiscent of strawberry and guava combined. They excel in jams, jellies, juices, and desserts. [source]

💊

Traditional remedies

Medicinal

Leaves and fruits have been used in traditional medicine for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Often consumed as tea or decoction for digestive and immune support. [source]

🦋

Wildlife food source

Wildlife

Flowers attract pollinators including bees and butterflies, while fruits are consumed by birds and wildlife, making it valuable for ecological landscaping. [source]

🌿

Landscape and shade tree

Ornamental

Attractive evergreen foliage, fragrant flowers, and colorful fruits make this an excellent ornamental specimen or small shade tree for tropical gardens. [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 fully red and slightly soft to touch, typically 2-3 weeks after flowering ends. Fruits can be picked slightly underripe and ripened indoors. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Peak season is summer through fall in most regions. Fruits last 5-7 days at room temperature, longer if refrigerated.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Strawberry Guava is considered invasive in Hawaii and other tropical regions, where it has naturalized and spread rapidly from garden escapees, now threatening native ecosystems.
  • 🌱 The fruit can be eaten whole, skin and all, and the entire plant including leaves and bark has been used in traditional South American folk medicine for centuries.
  • 🌱 Despite its common name, Strawberry Guava is not closely related to true acacias; the name 'Acacia' in some regional names is a misnomer or confusion with other plants.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Partial Shade pH Pinch Back True Leaves
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