Different Types Of Guavas: Sweet Varieties & Growing

Guava is a tropical fruit capturing hearts worldwide. Its global market projects a strong Compound Annual Growth Rate of 6.93% from 2025 to 2035, showing its increasing appeal. You might only know a few types, but many sweet varieties of guava exist beyond common kinds. Imagine picking fresh, juicy guava from your own backyard. Growing your own guava offers immense satisfaction and delicious rewards. You will discover these diverse types and learn how to cultivate them successfully.

Key Takeaways

• Many sweet guava types exist beyond common ones. These include pink, white, strawberry, lemon, red Malaysian, and pineapple guavas. Each type offers a unique taste.

• Guava trees need warm weather, lots of sunlight, and well-draining soil. They grow best when temperatures are between 68°F and 86°F. They also need at least 6-8 hours of direct sun daily.

• You can start new guava trees from seeds, cuttings, or by planting saplings. Growing them in pots works well if you live in a cold area. You can move the pot indoors during winter.

• Proper care helps guava trees grow well. Water them regularly, but do not overwater. Fertilize them with a good mix. Prune the trees to get more fruit. Protect them from pests and diseases.

• Harvest guava when its skin changes color and feels softer. Store ripe guava in the fridge for about a week. You can eat guava fresh or use it in many dishes like desserts and sauces.

Discovering Sweet Guava Varieties

You will find many sweet varieties of guava, each offering a unique taste experience. Exploring these different types of guava opens up a world of delicious possibilities.

Pink Guava Cultivars

Pink guava is a classic choice. You often find it in stores. ‘Ruby Supreme’ stands out as a standard among pink guava tree varieties. This popular guava varieties offers vibrant red flesh and a truly tropical flavor. Its distinct, enchanting pink flesh provides an exceptional flavor. You get a sweet, medium-sized fruit with soft, highly aromatic flesh. The skin ripens to a light yellow color. Other popular cultivars include ‘Homestead’, ‘Barbi Pink’, ‘Blitch’, ‘Hong Kong Pink’, and ‘Patillo’. These aromatic, ruby-fleshed fruits are sweet with a lively tang. They offer an exceptional flavor you will love.

White Guava Varieties

White guava varieties also offer delightful tastes. ‘Tropical White’ is a great example. This guava has tender, sweet flesh, yellow skin, and a pleasant aroma. Another excellent choice is ‘Mexican Cream’, also known as ‘Tropical Yellow’. Mexican Cream guavas are very sweet. They have a classic tropical flavor. Their creamy white flesh is thick and aromatic. It surrounds a small seed cavity containing soft, edible seeds. You will find Mexican Cream guavas have more sweetness than other guava varieties. Their flesh is soft and creamy. It feels like a soft pear in your mouth. Ripeness affects the sweetness and texture. Less mature fruits have a crispier texture. Longer storage makes them sweeter and juicier.

Strawberry Guava

Strawberry guava is a common and hardy type of guava. It offers a unique berry-like flavor. This fruit has a strong, sweet, and acidic flavor with a tart finish. You will notice definite strawberry notes. It truly explodes with tart, sweet, exotic strawberry flavor. Some people say the taste reminds them of a strawberry. However, a good strawberry tastes better than the best Strawberry Guava. This implies the guava’s strawberry flavor is less intense. Sometimes, when extremely ripe, it has a momentary fragrance of strawberry. Otherwise, it tastes more like tart passionfruit.

Strawberry guava plants are quite hardy. They grow well in USDA hardiness zones 10A through 11. You can also grow them in zones 9-12. These plants form an upright, multi-branched, evergreen shrub or small tree. They typically reach 15 to 25 feet tall, but often stay between 10 to 15 feet. They spread 10 to 25 feet wide. The growth rate is moderate. The leaves are thick, smooth, dark green, and leathery. The bark is smooth, grey-brown to golden, and peels in thin sheets. This evergreen shrub has a shallow root system. It can reach 15-20 feet. You should prune it to 12 feet. This helps prevent it from toppling in strong winds. It is quite hardy in temperatures as low as 22°F (-6°C).

Lemon Guava

Lemon guava is another hardy and productive choice. This guava tree varieties grows into a bushy plant. It offers a distinct citrusy note in its fruit. These trees have a lifespan of 20–30 years. They show moderate growth. They can reach a maximum height of 10–15 feet and a width of 8–12 feet. You can expect fruit as early as 1 year, typically within 12-18 months. Lemon guava is known for rapid growth. It quickly reaches a substantial size. It also offers continuous harvests, especially in subtropical climates.

Red Malaysian Guava

Red Malaysian guava stands out with its distinctive red skin. This fruit often has pink flesh. You will find its pulp is sweet and pinkish. The red malaysian guava adds a beautiful color to your garden and your plate.

Pineapple Guava

Pineapple guava is also known as Feijoa. This fruit offers a truly unique tropical taste. It has an aromatic bouquet. This reminds you of other tropical fruits like passion fruit, cherry guava, or pineapple. You will notice a distinctive, potent smell. It resembles fine perfume. This comes from special compounds in the fruit. The flavor combines pineapple, guava, and mint-like tastes. You get a blend of sweetness and tartness. You might also detect subtle notes of mint and strawberry.

You can also find other elite selections. ‘Emperor’ and ‘Crystal’ are top-tier options for exceptional guava fruits.

How to Grow Guava Successfully

You can successfully grow guava trees with the right conditions. Understanding their needs helps you get a bountiful harvest. Here are some quick tips on how to grow guava at home.

Climate Needs

Guava trees thrive in warm climates. You will find they grow best when temperatures stay between 68°F and 86°F (20°C and 30°C). This range is ideal for both growth and fruit production. Guava trees can grow in a broader temperature range of 45-90°F. For the best fruit production, the average temperature must remain above 60°F for at least six months. Mature guava trees can handle a light frost now and then. However, young trees are very sensitive to cold. They can die quickly if temperatures drop too low. Foliage damage can occur at 28°F (-2°C). Serious damage or even death happens at 26°F (-3°C).

Guava plants also need specific humidity levels. You should aim for a minimum humidity level of 40-50% for optimal growth. Guavas do well in moderate humidity. Too much humidity can lead to fungal diseases.

Sunlight Exposure

Guava trees love the sun. They need abundant, bright, and direct light. You must give them at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. This amount of sun is crucial for optimal growth and fruit production. If you grow potted guava trees, they also need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. For indoor plants, place them less than one foot from a window. This ensures they get enough light. Providing plenty of sun is a key step in how to grow guava successfully.

Soil Requirements

Guava trees are not too picky about soil, but they do have preferences. You will find they thrive in soil with a pH range of 5.0-7.0. This slightly acidic to neutral range is best for their health. You should incorporate organic matter into your soil. Materials like compost or farmyard manure significantly improve soil fertility. They also make the soil structure better. You can use worm castings and cover crops as natural fertilizers. These additions enhance nutrient availability. Apply bone meal and seaweed extract to promote strong root development. You should also perform deep plowing and harrowing. This improves soil aeration and helps roots grow deeper. Good aeration also aids drainage. This makes growing guava much easier.

Site Selection

Choosing the right spot for your guava tree is important. You need to select a sunny spot. This area should also be sheltered from strong winds. Strong winds can damage tender branches. They can also harm ripening fruit. A protected location helps your guava tree grow strong and produce well. This makes it easy to grow a healthy guava tree.

Planting Guava Trees

You can start new guava trees in several ways. Each method offers unique benefits. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

Seed Propagation

You can start new guava trees from seeds. Pineapple guava seeds typically germinate within 2 to 4 weeks. Other guava seeds may take longer. Radicles, the first root, can appear after more than 72 hours. This longer period is often due to their hard seed coat. You can help by soaking the seeds in warm water for 24 hours. You can also gently scarify them before planting. Plant the seeds in a well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist and warm.

Cutting Propagation

Propagating guava from cuttings is another effective method. You will get a plant identical to the parent tree. Take semi-hardwood cuttings from a healthy branch. Each cutting should be about 6-8 inches long. Remove the leaves from the bottom half. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings in a moist, sterile rooting medium. Keep them in a warm, humid environment until roots develop.

Sapling Transplanting

Transplanting a guava sapling is a common way to establish your tree. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. The hole should be as deep as the root ball. Carefully remove the sapling from its container. Place it in the center of the hole. Ensure the top of the root ball is level with the ground. Backfill the hole with soil. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. The best time for when to plant guava saplings is typically in spring or early summer. This allows the tree to establish before colder weather.

Container Cultivation

Growing guava in containers is a great option. This method makes it easy to grow, especially if you live in a colder climate. Choose a large pot with good drainage holes. Use a high-quality potting mix. You can move the container indoors during winter. This protects your guava tree from frost. Container cultivation also allows you to control soil conditions more precisely. This makes growing guava a flexible choice for many gardeners.

Guava Tree Care

You need to provide consistent care for your guava trees to ensure they produce abundant fruit. Proper watering, fertilizing, and pruning are key steps.

Watering Practices

You need to water your guava trees correctly. For fully grown guava plants, check the top inch of soil. Irrigate when it feels dry. Make sure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. For mature guava trees, water deeply once a week during the growing season. Adjust this based on soil moisture. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. As the tree gets older, you can water less often. Still, give deep soakings when the topsoil feels dry. This proper watering helps your guava thrive.

Fertilizing Schedule

Fertilizing gives your guava trees the nutrients they need. For tropical fruit trees, use a fertilizer where nitrogen (N) is lower than potassium (K). An 8-3-9 ratio works well, but more potassium is even better. Do not apply nitrogen before flowering. This promotes leaf growth instead of fruit. For young plants, a balanced NPK like 10-10-10 provides quick nutrients. Nutrient needs change as your guava grows from a seedling to a fruiting tree.

Pruning Techniques

Pruning is important for good fruit production. You can maximize your guava fruit yield with proper pruning. Look at this data:

Autumn pruning gives superior fruit quality in the dry season. Also, pruning length matters.

You can see that a 30 cm pruning length leads to more flowers, fruits, and a higher yield. This shows how to care and maintain guava trees for best results.

Pest and Disease Control

You must protect your guava trees from pests and diseases. Regularly inspect your plants. Look for any signs of trouble. Early detection helps you solve problems quickly. Use organic pest control methods when possible. Good garden hygiene also prevents many issues. This careful care ensures healthy growth. This is part of how to grow guava successfully.

Harvesting Guava Fruit

You will enjoy the reward of your hard work when you harvest your guava fruit. Knowing when and how to pick your fruits ensures the best taste.

Ripeness Signs

You can tell if your guava fruit is ready to harvest by looking at its skin. Unripe guava fruit feels firm and has a dark green color. As the fruit ripens, its skin becomes smoother and slightly softer. You might also see subtle wrinkles. The color changes from green to yellow or white, depending on the variety.

Here is a guide to help you identify ripe guava:

Different guava varieties show unique color changes when ripe:

Picking Methods

You should gently twist the ripe guava fruit from its branch. If it comes off easily, it is ready. Avoid pulling or yanking the fruit. This can damage the branch or the fruit itself. Handle the fruits carefully to prevent bruising. You want your harvest to be perfect.

Storage Guidelines

You can store your guava fruit to keep it fresh longer. Ripe guava fruit does not last as long as partially ripe fruit.

Here are some storage tips:

You can store mature green and partially ripe guava at 8°C to 10°C for 2 to 3 weeks. Ripe, soft fruit lasts about 1 week at 5°C to 8°C. At room temperature (around 20°C), guava lasts about 7 days.

Culinary Uses

Guava fruit is very versatile in the kitchen. You can use it in many dishes.

• Cuban Cuisine: Guava has a special place in Cuban cooking. People use it in traditional desserts like pastelitos de guayaba. These are pastries filled with guava paste. You can also find guava in savory dishes, such as guava BBQ chicken wings. The sweetness of the guava complements the meat.

• Versatile Applications: Guava enhances both savory dishes and sweet desserts. Its unique taste works well in sauces and marinades. It adds a subtle sweetness with a hint of tartness.

• Desserts: You can use guava puree or extract in pastries, ice creams, and tropical drinks. This gives them an exotic twist.

• Flavorings: Guava flavorings can elevate your recipes. Try guava extracts in cakes, tarts, and cookies for a tropical flair. Add a hint of guava to barbecue or vinaigrette sauces for a fruity zest. You can also create signature drinks by adding guava flavors to cocktails or mocktails.

Cultivating your own guava brings immense joy and delicious rewards. You have explored many sweet varieties, each offering unique flavors. Growing these plants is surprisingly easy with proper care. We encourage you to experiment with different types of guava and savor your fresh, homegrown fruit. This gardening journey connects you deeply to nature, offering both peace and tasty produce.

FAQ

How long until my guava tree produces fruit?

You can expect fruit from your guava tree in as little as one year. Most trees start producing within 12 to 18 months after planting. This depends on the variety and your growing conditions.

Can I grow guava if I live in a cold area?

Yes, you can grow guava in colder climates. Plant your guava in a container. Move it indoors during winter. This protects the tree from frost and cold temperatures.

What is the best way to eat a guava?

You can eat ripe guava fresh. Wash the fruit, then slice it. You can eat the skin and seeds. Many people enjoy guava in smoothies, juices, or desserts.

How often should I water my guava tree?

Water mature guava trees deeply once a week during the growing season. Check the top inch of soil. Water when it feels dry. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

What kind of soil does guava prefer?

Guava trees prefer well-draining soil. They thrive in a pH range of 5.0 to 7.0. Incorporate organic matter like compost. This improves soil fertility and structure.