Fertilising guide

How to fertilise Pineapple guava (Feijoa sellowiana)— schedule & NPK

Also called Pineapple guava, Feijoa, Guavasteen.

More about pineapple guava

About Pineapple guava

Feijoa sellowiana · also called Pineapple guava, Feijoa · edible

An evergreen shrub bearing pineapple-mint-flavored fruit, pineapple guava thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Hardy to around 15°F (-9°C), it suits zones 8–11 and warmer UK coastal gardens. Water regularly during fruit development, fertilize lightly, and shelter from harsh winds for best harvests.

Growth habit: Rounded, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub; dense, bushy growth with silvery-green leaves, grey-green beneath

Watch for — Poor fruit set: Most cultivars are self-fertile but cropping improves dramatically with two different cultivars nearby for cross-pollination. Hand-pollinate flowers if bees are scarce. Also ensure full-sun siting and adequate water during fruit development.

What fertiliser pineapple guava actually wants — and why

Pineapple guava feeds in two distinct phases — balanced to build the plant, then high-potassium the moment flowering starts to set and fill a heavy crop.

For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for pineapple guava: match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.

How often to feed pineapple guava, and which months

Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For pineapple guava:

The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when pineapple guava is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.

What strength to mix for pineapple guava

Follow the crop-feed label rate for pineapple guava — these are calibrated for hungry vegetables. Consistency through fruiting matters more than strength; erratic feeding causes problems like blossom-end rot.

Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water pineapple guava first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the pineapple guava watering schedule.

Signs you are over-feeding pineapple guava

Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for pineapple guava:

Vigorous dark-green leafy growth but few flowers or fruit (excess nitrogen).
Lush foliage hiding the crop; soft growth prone to pests and disease.
Salt crust on the soil and scorched leaf edges in containers.

Signs you are under-feeding pineapple guava

Pale, yellowing lower leaves and stunted growth.
Small fruit, poor set, and a quickly exhausted plant.
Blossom-end rot and weak cropping from erratic or insufficient feeding.

If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full pineapple guava care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.

Flushing and leaching the salts

In containers, fertiliser salts build up fast — water pineapple guava thoroughly so excess drains from the base each time, and flush pots with plain water every few weeks to prevent a damaging salt build-up.

Organic vs synthetic feeds for pineapple guava

Organic options

Garden compost or well-rotted manure dug in before planting, plus a liquid comfrey or seaweed feed once fruiting starts. UK: comfrey feed or organic Tomorite; US: Espoma Tomato-tone or Neptune's Harvest. Builds soil and feeds in one.

Synthetic / liquid feeds

A balanced feed at planting then a high-potash tomato feed in fruiting — UK: Growmore at planting then Tomorite (Levington) or Phostrogen; US: a balanced 10-10-10 then Miracle-Gro Tomato or a bloom booster.

Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.

Fertilising pineapple guava — frequently asked questions

What fertiliser does pineapple guava need?

Balanced (even N-P-K) at planting for roots and frame, then switch to a high-potassium ("high-potash") tomato-style feed once the first flowers open — potassium is what sizes and ripens fruit, not nitrogen. Pineapple guava feeds in two distinct phases — balanced to build the plant, then high-potassium the moment flowering starts to set and fill a heavy crop.

How often should I feed pineapple guava?

Apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 8-8-8 NPK) every 6–8 weeks during the growing season in spring and summer. Use approximately half the recommended dose for tree/shrub size. Trace elements (iron, magnesium, zinc) benefit fruit production. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeds, which promote foliage at the expense of fruit. Apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 8-8-8 NPK) every 6–8 weeks during the growing season in spring and summer. Use approximately half the recommended dose for tree/shrub size. Trace elements (iron, magnesium, zinc) benefit fruit production. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeds, which promote foliage at the expense of fruit. So: a balanced feed or compost at planting, then a high-potash liquid every 1-2 weeks from first flower through harvest across the main season (spring through early autumn).

What strength of feed for pineapple guava?

What does over-feeding pineapple guava look like?

Vigorous dark-green leafy growth but few flowers or fruit (excess nitrogen). Lush foliage hiding the crop; soft growth prone to pests and disease. Salt crust on the soil and scorched leaf edges in containers. Staying on a high-nitrogen feed once pineapple guava starts flowering is the classic error — you get a huge leafy plant and a disappointing crop. Switch to high-potash the moment flowers appear.

Should I flush the soil of pineapple guava?