Overview

Introduce an exotic touch to your garden or patio with the lemon guava live plant. This delightful small tree or shrub, scientifically known as Acca sellowiana (formerly Feijoa sellowiana), is cherished for its attractive glossy evergreen foliage, charming fragrant white flowers with showy red stamens, and its highly prized edible fruit. The round, yellow-green fruits boast a unique bright, lemony aroma and a sweet-tart flavor, making them a delicious addition to fresh eating, desserts, and preserves. Originating from South America, the sweet guava tree is surprisingly adaptable and can be grown in various climates, often thriving as a container plant in cooler regions where it can be brought indoors during winter months. It’s a wonderful choice for gardeners looking for a productive and ornamental fruit plant.

Key Benefits

The lemon guava live plant offers a multitude of benefits, from its aesthetic appeal to its delicious fruit and ease of care, making it a fantastic addition to any home garden.

• Delicious, Unique Fruit: Enjoy a harvest of flavorful, aromatic fruits with a distinct sweet-tart taste reminiscent of lemon, pineapple, and mint. Perfect for fresh consumption, jams, jellies, and tropical fruit salads.
• Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruit, this plant boasts beautiful glossy green leaves and striking white flowers with vibrant red stamens, adding significant aesthetic appeal to your landscape or patio.
• Fragrant Blooms: The delicate white flowers are not only visually appealing but also emit a pleasant fragrance, enhancing the sensory experience of your garden during its blooming season.
• Adaptable Growth: The tropical guava plant can be grown as a compact shrub or a small tree, making it suitable for various garden sizes and even container planting, allowing for flexibility in placement.
• Evergreen Foliage: Maintain year-round greenery with its attractive evergreen leaves, providing continuous visual interest even when not in bloom or fruit.
• Relatively Low Maintenance: Once established, the lemon guava live plant is quite resilient and doesn’t demand excessive care, making it suitable for both experienced and novice gardeners.
• Pollinator Attractor: The vibrant flowers attract bees and other pollinators to your garden, contributing to a healthy ecosystem and potentially increasing fruit yield.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your lemon guava live plant is straightforward, and with the right conditions, it will thrive and reward you with abundant fruit. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. While it can tolerate some temperature fluctuations, consistent warmth during the growing season is beneficial. In winter, especially in cooler climates, note that they may shed some or all of their leaves, which is a natural response to colder temperatures.

This plant prefers a location with full sun to partial shade. For optimal fruit production, aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. While it can tolerate some shade, too little light may result in fewer flowers and fruits. When it comes to soil, the sweet guava tree thrives in well-draining, fertile soil. Sandy or loamy soil types are preferred, but it is adaptable to various soil compositions as long as drainage is good. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils, which can lead to root rot. Regular watering is crucial, especially during the flowering and fruiting periods. Keep the soil evenly moist but not saturated. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. During periods of drought or extreme heat, increased watering may be necessary.

Fertilize your tropical guava plant with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring, just as new growth begins. You can also supplement with a liquid feed every 4-6 weeks during the active growing season. Pruning can be done to maintain shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage better air circulation and fruit production. The best time for pruning is after the fruit harvest. Monitor for common pests like aphids or scale insects and treat with organic insecticidal soap if necessary. Ensuring good air circulation and proper watering can also help prevent fungal issues. Understanding how to grow lemon guava successfully means paying attention to these basic needs.

Size & Details

This lemon guava live plant typically ships in a half-gallon pot, providing a well-established root system ready for transplanting into your garden or a larger container. When mature, the plant can reach a height of 10-15 feet and a similar spread if left unpruned, though it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning. It exhibits a moderate growth rate, establishing itself well within the first year. Expect to see fragrant blooms from spring to summer, followed by fruit development. The fruit typically ripens in late summer to fall, depending on your climate. Our plants are carefully selected to ensure health and vigor upon arrival, providing you with a strong start for your home orchard. For best results on how to grow lemon guava, ensure proper care from the beginning.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: A mature lemon guava live plant can grow 10-15 feet tall and wide, but it can be kept smaller with regular pruning, making it suitable for various garden sizes or container growing.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This sweet guava tree is typically shipped in a half-gallon nursery pot, providing a healthy start for your planting.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The tropical guava plant thrives outdoors in warmer climates (USDA zones 8-10). In cooler regions, it can be grown in a container and brought indoors during winter.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For optimal fruit production, the lemon guava live plant requires full sun (6-8 hours of direct sunlight) but can tolerate partial shade.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, the lemon guava live plant is relatively low-maintenance, requiring consistent watering and occasional fertilization. It’s a good choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive healthy and well-packaged, ready for planting. We take great care to ensure its safe journey to your home.
• Q: How long until it blooms? A: Depending on its age and growing conditions, your sweet guava tree may bloom in its first year or within 1-2 years after planting.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: The best time to plant your tropical guava plant is in spring or early summer after the danger of the last frost has passed, allowing it ample time to establish before cooler weather.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate? A: While mature plants can tolerate brief dips to around 15°F (-9°C), sustained temperatures below 20°F (-6°C) can cause damage. It’s best to protect it from hard freezes.
• Q: Can I use the fruit in cooking? A: Absolutely! The fruit of the lemon guava live plant is delicious fresh and can be used in a variety of culinary applications, including preserves, pies, and sauces.