Acca sellowiana (syn. Feijoa sellowiana), commonly known as the feijoa, pineapple guava, or guavasteen, is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree highly prized for both its striking ornamental beauty and its delicious autumn fruit. Native to the highlands of South America (including parts of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina), this hardy plant adapts beautifully to temperate and coastal garden climates. While some cultivars are self-fertile, planting two genetically distinct trees close together drastically improves cross-pollination and subsequent fruit yield. Excellent as a tough windbreak, formal or informal privacy hedge, feature tree, or patio container plant.
Fruit Colour: Olive-green fruit.
Fruit Shape: Egg-shaped
Fruit Size: Small-Medium, range from 2-6cm
Flavour: The aromatic, juicy pulp delivers a complex tropical flavor profile often described as a mix of pineapple, guava, apple, and spearmint.
Fruit Season: Autumn
Cropping Habit: Moderate, dependent on pruning & it flowers and fruits on the current season's new growth that sprouts from the previous year’s wood. Feijoas naturally grow into dense, twiggy shrubs. If left unpruned, light cannot penetrate the center of the canopy, forcing the tree to only bear fruit on the outer perimeter; as well as limiting pollination from birds and wind if it is too dense.
Best Uses: Windbreaks, screening, easy backyard orchard tree/ fresh eating, edible flowers, childrens gardens, wildlife-attractor.
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate
Watering frequency: Regular during establishment; occasional deep watering once established
Soil: Highly adaptable to most well-drained soil types, preferring a loam rich in organic matter.
Skill level: Beginner
Growth rate: Slow to moderate
Suitable for container gardens: Yes
Mature Height: 2-4m
Mature Width: 2m
Seasonality: Evergreen
Drought Tolerant: Highly drought-tolerant once established,
Frost Tolerant: It actually benefits from a cool winter chill to stimulate a heavy fruit yield.
Wind Tolerant: Moderate
Leaf colour: Thick, leathery, oval leaves that are deep glossy green on top with a distinct, striking silvery-white underside.
Leaf Variegation pattern: No
Size of leaf: 3-7cm long and 2-4cm wide.
Flower: Showy, tropical-looking spring blooms featuring puffy white-to-pink petals and a dramatic explosion of bright crimson stamens. Notably, the sweet, fleshy petals are completely edible and have a unique flavor reminiscent of cotton candy or cinnamon spice.
Acca sellowiana (syn. Feijoa sellowiana), commonly known as the feijoa, pineapple guava, or guavasteen, is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree highly prized for both its striking ornamental beauty and its delicious autumn fruit. Native to the highlands of South America (including parts of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina), this hardy plant adapts beautifully to temperate and coastal garden climates. While some cultivars are self-fertile, planting two genetically distinct trees close together drastically improves cross-pollination and subsequent fruit yield. Excellent as a tough windbreak, formal or informal privacy hedge, feature tree, or patio container plant.
Fruit Colour: Olive-green fruit.
Fruit Shape: Egg-shaped
Fruit Size: Small-Medium, range from 2-6cm
Flavour: The aromatic, juicy pulp delivers a complex tropical flavor profile often described as a mix of pineapple, guava, apple, and spearmint.
Fruit Season: Autumn
Cropping Habit: Moderate, dependent on pruning & it flowers and fruits on the current season's new growth that sprouts from the previous year’s wood. Feijoas naturally grow into dense, twiggy shrubs. If left unpruned, light cannot penetrate the center of the canopy, forcing the tree to only bear fruit on the outer perimeter; as well as limiting pollination from birds and wind if it is too dense.
Best Uses: Windbreaks, screening, easy backyard orchard tree/ fresh eating, edible flowers, childrens gardens, wildlife-attractor.
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate
Watering frequency: Regular during establishment; occasional deep watering once established
Soil: Highly adaptable to most well-drained soil types, preferring a loam rich in organic matter.
Skill level: Beginner
Growth rate: Slow to moderate
Suitable for container gardens: Yes
Mature Height: 2-4m
Mature Width: 2m
Seasonality: Evergreen
Drought Tolerant: Highly drought-tolerant once established,
Frost Tolerant: It actually benefits from a cool winter chill to stimulate a heavy fruit yield.
Wind Tolerant: Moderate
Leaf colour: Thick, leathery, oval leaves that are deep glossy green on top with a distinct, striking silvery-white underside.
Leaf Variegation pattern: No
Size of leaf: 3-7cm long and 2-4cm wide.
Flower: Showy, tropical-looking spring blooms featuring puffy white-to-pink petals and a dramatic explosion of bright crimson stamens. Notably, the sweet, fleshy petals are completely edible and have a unique flavor reminiscent of cotton candy or cinnamon spice.
