Growing Guava in Pots | Guava Tree Care and Information

Growing Guava in Pots is the best way to enjoy these tasty fruits in a small space like a balcony or a patio! Here’s all you need to know!

Growing Guava in Pots is not only easy but rewarding too! All you need is a small container and this plant will give you enough harvest for the entire family!

Check out our article on growing blueberries in pots here

Guava Tree Information

Guava is a small tropical tree that grows 5-6 meters high on average, but if properly pruned it does not exceed the height of 3 meters. This makes it perfect for growing in containers.

Its leaves are born in pairs with a pale green color and leathery texture. Fruit shape, size, the color of flesh and skin usually depends on the variety. Maturity is observed when the shell reaches a yellowish-green, yellow, pink, or pale color.

Other Names: Amrood, Amrut Phala, Araçá-Goiaba, Araçá-Guaçú, Banjiro, Brazilian Guava, Brazilian Red Guava, Common Guava, Fan Shi Liu, Feuille de Goyavier, Goiaba, Goiabeiro, Goyabe, Goyave, Goyave Jaune, Goyave Rouge, Goyavier, Goyavier du Brésil, Guaiaba, Guaiava, Guajava, Guava Leaf, Guava Leaves, Guava Peel, Guava Pulp, Guava Seed, Guava Seed Protein, Guavas, Guave, Guavenbaum, Guayaba, Guayabo, Guayave, Koejawel, Lemon Guava, Pépin de Goyave, Psidium, Psidium guajava, Pulpe de Goyave, Red Guava, Yellow Guava, Bihi

Best Guava Varieties to Grow in Pots

Over 100 varieties of guavas are identified in the world, different from each other by their flavor and appearance. 

Guava Ruby Supreme, Lucknow 49, Psidium Guajava Nana (Dwarf Guava), Tikal Guava, Red Malaysian (Also grown for ornamental purposes), Patricia, Indonesian Seedless, Indonesian White, and Safeda are some of the best ones you can grow in pots.

Propagating Guava Tree

From Cuttings

Growing guava from cuttings requires specific temperature and humidity, this method is suitable in warm climates. Just snip away 4-6 inches long cutting and plant it in a well-draining growing medium in bright light.

From Seeds

Guava seeds are propagated easily with high germination rate. The main thing is that they must be fresh and obtained from a quality source. You can also use seed fresh seeds collected from the fruit but it is better to buy seeds from a seed store or online.

Guava tree grown from seeds take 3-4 years to mature and start to form fruits. From cuttings, it grows more quickly. However, our recommendation for you is to buy a grafted guava tree. Most of the grafted trees start to bear fruit in the same year and remain healthy.

Best Pot Size for a Guava Tree

Guava grows large, around 15 to 20 feet, but in pots, it can be reduced to 5 to 8 feet. A standard 12 to 14 inches pot will be good to start a medium-sized plant available in plant nurseries. Then, you can re-pot it within a couple of years, depending more on the growth, into one size bigger container than the previous one.

Eventually, a large 20 to 24 inches pot can easily accommodate a grown-up guava tree.

Requirements for Growing Guava Tree in a Pot

Location

While growing guava in a container, choose a location that gets at least 6-7 hours of direct sunlight daily. The more sun it gets, the better it will be for healthy growth and more fruiting.

Soil

For growing guava in pots, choose a quality potting mix or make your own substrate using equal parts compost, sand, and soil. The pH should be between 5.5 to 7.5. Amend the growing medium with plenty of organic matter such as well-rotted cow manure at the time of starting the plant.

Watering

When the plant is young or forming flowers, water it regularly and deeply to keep the soil slightly moist. It helps in developing more juicy and sweet fruits. Always water when the topsoil feels a little dry to the touch.

Temperature

A mature guava tree (at least 3 years old) can bear temperatures down to 20 F (-6 C). Keep it safe from cold drafts. It would be a good idea to bring the plant indoors if you live in a climate with cold weather conditions in winter.

Guava Tree Care

Pruning

Pruning is essential to keep the guava tree in desired shape and size. Dry, dead, damaged, or diseased branches can be pruned anytime.

The best is to cut back long, unbranched shoots and branches that are crossing each other and blocking the penetration of sun rays after the harvest or at the beginning of the growing season.

Fruit Thinning

Allow no more than four fruits per branch. Also, thin out the fruits if they are developing on a small and weak branch.

Fertilizer

Guava responds well to the monthly fertilizing. When the tree is young and is not bearing fruits, fertilize your potted guava tree with 6:6:6:2 [N P K Mg] to speed up the growth of the plant.

When the tree starts to bear fruits change the composition to 8:3:9:2 [N P K Mg].

Mulching

Do mulching with organic matter so that the plant retains moisture. It also helps in insulating the roots in winter.

Pests and Diseases

The guava tree is very tough, but you should keep an eye on common garden pests. Mealybugs, guava scales, white flies, fruit flies, and thrips can affect it.

In diseases, the guava plant suffers from rust, which occurs in too warm weather and high humidity. Besides this, anthracnose and leaf spots can be a problem too.

To avoid these issues, avoid overwatering and keep the plant at a location with proper air circulation.

Harvesting Guavas

Most of the guava tree varieties are self-pollinating, and the fruit ripens year-round in tropical and arid climates (except in summer). Guava fruits usually mature in 3 to 4 months after flowering.

In India, generally, the main crop arrives in winter and after the summer in the rainy season. The winter crop is more flavorsome and sweet.

Guava Uses

Guava fruits taste better when picked earlier than they are fully mature. Fruits are highly nutritious, rich in vitamin C, and can be eaten raw – the seeds are edible too.

Ripened fruits can be used to make guava ice cream, juice, jam, chutney, sauce, or desserts.