Strawberry Guava (Psidium cattleianum)

Strawberry Guava

Psidium cattleianum

It bears sweet, berry-like fruit amid glossy evergreen leaves. Evergreen shrub or small tree; common names: strawberry guava, cattley guava.

Full sun
2–3/week
Beginner
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Plant Needs

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Sunlight Full sun to partial shade; full sun promotes maximum fruit production, while partial shade supports healthy foliage growth in hot climates
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Watering Water deeply when the top 2–3 cm of soil dries out; avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot
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Temperature Hardy to 5°C; prefers warm temperate to subtropical conditions; protect young plants from frost damage
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Characteristics

  • Leaf: Opposite, elliptical glossy dark green leaves with entire margins, 3–7 cm in length
  • Flower: White 5-petaled blooms with prominent, fluffy stamens, 2–3 cm wide
  • Fruit: Round red or yellow berries with sweet aromatic flesh, 2–4 cm in diameter
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Care Guide

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist during active growth and fruiting periods

Fertilization

Apply diluted balanced fertilizer once monthly. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nitrogen can reduce fruit production

Banana peel compost tea:Compost banana peels for 2–3 weeks to break down organic matter, steep in water for 24 hours, and dilute 1:20 for root drenching; avoid using raw peels to prevent pest infestations
Pruning
  • Prune in late winter to shape the shrub and remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches
  • Thin dense inner growth to improve airflow and light penetration for better fruiting
  • Remove suckers growing from the base to maintain the desired form and reduce overcrowding
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Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA confirmed non-toxic to cats; no known adverse effects from ingestion

Humans: Non-toxic to humans; ripe fruit is edible and safe for consumption

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Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: N/A

Usage: Edible fruit production, ornamental hedge plant, indoor foliage specimen in large containers