Strawberry Guava Seedlings

The Strawberry guava tree is a beautiful, fruit-bearing shrub that is native to South America, specifically Brazil. Closely related to common guava, the plant is an excellent candidate if you want to grow fruits in your backyard.

Planting Strawberry Guava

Here’s a quick brief on how to plant strawberry guava and what to expect in the weeks post-planting.

Seed Availability

Strawberry guava tree spreads by shoots and seeds – the latter often a work of birds. You can find the yellow seeds at specialty nurseries or online seed companies. Rest assured, strawberry guava seeds are readily available.

Germination Info

To ensure the seeds germinate on time, plant them in moist, sterile soil with a warm temperature of 70-85°F (21-29°C). The estimated germination time is 4-6 weeks and could also take up to 12 weeks, depending on the quality of the soil and temperature consistency.

When to Plant

Spring is the perfect time to plant a strawberry guava tree. The soil is more workable, there are high chances of rain, and the sun is out most of the time.

Where to Plant

Strawberry guava typically needs a tropical habitat, resembling that of Brazil. They can be planted in your garden, outside your house, or can be grown as a small tree in your backyard. However, the plants are an invasive species, so it’s best to avoid planting in areas that you don’t want to be taken over!

How to Plant

Since guava seeds can be slightly tricky to germinate, you should keep the soil and temperature consistent. Plant the seeds ¼-½ inches deep into fertile, loamy soil. The soil temperature should stay between 70-85°F to ensure successful germination. If you’re planting indoors ahead of the season, or if you’d like to keep your tree in a container, use Air Pots. These are expertly designed to support the tree’s root system.

Strawberry Guava Tree in Landscaping

Strawberry guava is excellent for edible landscaping. Both the fruit and plants can be used as an architectural accent, single-yard specimens, or even as shelter plants. The foliage is so versatile and attractive that it can be used as a backdrop for smaller, more delicate plants and looks gorgeous planted along a driveway. If you have a patio or front porch, embellish the empty spaces with strawberry guava plants.

Strawberry Guava Plant Care

The plants and fruit are ideal for beautifying your garden. Here’s a breakdown of the plant’s sunlight, watering, and soil needs.

Sun and Temperature

Strawberry guava can spread fast and grows well in full sun. It grows well in warmer temperatures, typically between 70-85°F (21-29°C).

Water

The tree needs regular, ample watering. Although the plants can tolerate short periods of drought, guava red trees need proper hydration. They need even more water during fruit development so the berries can ripen properly. Regular irrigation at least once a week, once the plant matures, is good enough to maintain healthy growth.

Soil

Strawberry guava needs well-drained, loamy to sandy loam with an acidic pH between the ranges of 5 and 7. The soil should also be quite rich in organic matter and slightly warm. Cooler soil temperatures can inhibit the germination of the seeds.

Fertilizing

The plants need fertilizer thrice a year – in summer, spring, and fall. Use a high-quality granular citrus fertilizer with a ratio of 6-6-6 for the best results.

Pruning

Strawberry guava plant naturally stays in shape; however, if you’re planting it for landscaping purposes, a little pruning can go a long way. They have a naturally pretty form. Nonetheless, you can cut off any branches that are invasive or growing outside the borders. Tipping the branches will also mean bushier growth if that’s what you want. The ideal time to prune is in fall, once the fruit season is over.

Propagating Strawberry Guava

You can propagate by seeds or cuttings

Start by removing the seeds from the ripe berries. Wash them nicely to get rid of all the pulp around the seeds. In case you’re not planting them right now, you can store them in the fridge or an airtight box.

Using a sharp knife, break the seed’s outer shell, and place them in lukewarm water. Allow soaking for up to 1-2 days until they appear to double in size.

Now take a seed-starting medium and mix it in water. Take a seed-starting tray that will be used for the propagation and pour the medium into it.

Place a few seeds (2-3) in each cell of the tray and pour over the seed-starting medium. Hydrate with a spritz of water and cover it.

Next, take a heating pad and warm it up. Cover it with a thin muslin cloth or plastic wrap to prevent contact with water. Place the seed-starting tray on the heating pad and set it to low. The temperature and moisture levels of the tray will warm up slowly.

Make sure the temperature remains between the ranges of 75 and 80 degrees F, with regular misting. Wait for 2-8 weeks until the seeds germinate.

Once the seedling grows at least two sets of leaves, transplant them to smaller containers and keep under full but indirect sunlight.