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Plant care

Rumberry (Guavaberry) care

Myrciaria floribunda

Also called Guavaberry, Murta, Cainitillo.

RHS H1cUSDA 10–12Pet-safeIndoor 3–10 m outdoors

Watering rhythm

7-10days

When the top 3–5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7–10 days; very drought-tolerant once mature

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam or loam; pH 5.5–7.0

Humidity

50–70%

Temp

18–35°C; damaged below 4°C

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

3–10 m outdoors

Care at a glance

Light

Most houseplants will scorch where rumberry thrives. Give it the windowsill you'd otherwise leave empty because everything else burned there. Full sun is preferred for fruiting. Tolerates partial shade but produces fewer flowers and fruit. Excellent for coastal plantings where it handles salt spray and wind. A plant moved abruptly from low light to direct sun bleaches in 48 hours — always acclimatise over a week.

Watering

For rumberry in the ground or in a bed, aim for when the top 3–5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7–10 days; very drought-tolerant once mature. Soak the root zone rather than misting the foliage; deep, less-frequent watering trains roots downward and produces a more drought-resilient plant by mid-season. Water young trees consistently to establish roots. Mature trees tolerate extended dry periods. Avoid waterlogging — Myrciaria is sensitive to root rot in heavy soils.

Soil and pot

Rumberry grows best in well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam or loam; ph 5.5–7.0. Tolerates poor, rocky soils typical of its native Caribbean habitat. Amend heavy clay with grit. Container-grown plants do best in a free-draining ericaceous or tropical potting mix. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Rumberry sits happiest at around 50–70% humidity and 18–35°C; damaged below 4°C (64–95°F; damaged below 39°F). Comfortable in moderate to high humidity. Tolerates drier conditions better than most tropical fruit trees. No misting is needed for outdoor plants. If you keep the room above 18–35°C; damaged below 4°C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed rumberry sparingly. Apply a balanced slow-release granular fertiliser in spring and again in midsummer. A light application of sulphate of potash in late summer encourages fruit ripening. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds on mature fruiting trees. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on rumberry in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Scale insects — Common on container specimens; scrape off manually or treat with horticultural oil.
  • Slow establishment — Rumberry is notoriously slow-growing; patience and consistent moisture in the first 2 years are critical.
  • Iron chlorosis — Yellowing between leaf veins on alkaline soils; apply chelated iron and acidify if needed.
  • Fruit drop — Erratic watering or low temperatures during flowering cause premature fruit drop.
  • Root rot — Poorly drained containers are the main risk; always use free-draining mix and ensure drainage holes are clear.

Companion plants

Rumberry pairs well with Allspice, Guava, Sea Grape, and Pigeon Plum. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can grow them in the same bed or container without conflict.

Propagation

Propagate from fresh seed sown in moist, acidic mix at 25–28°C; germination is erratic and can take 4–12 weeks. Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer with rooting hormone and bottom heat offer a more reliable alternative. Air-layering also succeeds on mature branches. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Rumberry is pet-safe. Myrciaria floribunda is not listed by the ASPCA as toxic to pets. The Myrtaceae family as a whole (guava, feijoa, allspice) has no broadly recognised veterinary toxins. The fruit is widely consumed by birds and humans without reported harm. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Rumberry care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Myrciaria floribunda?

Myrciaria floribunda is most commonly called Rumberry, but it is also known as Guavaberry, Murta, Cainitillo. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Rumberry apply identically to anything sold as Guavaberry.

How much light does rumberry need?

Rumberry grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Full sun is preferred for fruiting. Tolerates partial shade but produces fewer flowers and fruit. Excellent for coastal plantings where it handles salt spray and wind.

How often should I water rumberry?

Water rumberry when the top 3–5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7–10 days; very drought-tolerant once mature. Water young trees consistently to establish roots. Mature trees tolerate extended dry periods. Avoid waterlogging — Myrciaria is sensitive to root rot in heavy soils. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is rumberry toxic to cats and dogs?

Rumberry is pet-safe. Myrciaria floribunda is not listed by the ASPCA as toxic to pets. The Myrtaceae family as a whole (guava, feijoa, allspice) has no broadly recognised veterinary toxins. The fruit is widely consumed by birds and humans without reported harm.

What USDA hardiness zone does rumberry grow in?

Rumberry is rated for USDA zone 10–12 and RHS hardiness H1c. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Rumberry deep-dive guides

Every aspect of rumberry care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Rumberry qualifies for 1 curated Growli shortlist — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Rumberry is also known as Guavaberry, Murta, and Cainitillo.