How to Grow Feijoa
Acca sellowiana
Feijoas are attractive evergreen shrubs producing exotic fruit with a unique pineapple-guava-mint flavour in autumn. Beautiful edible flowers in early summer are a bonus. Need a warm sheltered spot in the UK — ideal against a south-facing wall. Plant two for cross-pollination unless using a self-fertile variety. Feed in spring and summer, water during dry spells. Fruits drop when ripe — collect from the ground. Hardy once established but protect young plants from hard frost.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Spring and mid-summer with a balanced fertiliser. Potash-rich feed from flowering onwards encourages fruit development.
Watch For
- Scale insects
- Guava moth
- Fruit fly
- Frost damage
Companions
Lavender, Rosemary, Sage
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, warm sheltered spot
Needs maximum sunlight and shelter from cold winds. In cooler climates, plant against a south-facing wall for reflected warmth and frost protection.
Watering
Regular in dry spells
Water consistently during flowering and fruit development. Once established, feijoa tolerates short dry periods but prolonged drought reduces fruit set.
Fertilizing
Balanced spring, potash in summer
Apply balanced fertiliser in spring as growth resumes. Switch to high-potash feed after fruit set to support fruit development through to autumn harvest.
Pruning
Light shaping after harvest
Prune lightly after harvest or in early spring to maintain shape. Remove crossing branches and dead wood. Can be hedged for a formal outline.
Growing Tips
Plant in pairs
Most feijoa varieties need cross-pollination from a different variety. Plant at least two, or choose a self-fertile cultivar like 'Unique' or 'Coolidge'.
Edible flowers
The fleshy flower petals are sweet and edible — pick some to eat fresh in salads. The plant still sets fruit even with some petals removed.
Fruits drop when ripe
Ripe feijoas fall from the bush. Check the ground daily in autumn and collect fallen fruit. They should give slightly when squeezed.
Warm wall position
In the UK, feijoas fruit best against a warm south-facing wall. In open ground they may flower beautifully but not set fruit in cool summers.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 300 cm |
| Row spacing | 300 cm |
| Mature height | 350 cm |
| Mature spread | 300 cm |
A medium shrub reaching 2-4m. Plant two or more for cross-pollination unless growing a self-fertile variety. Can be grown as a hedge.
