Common Name: Guava

General Information

Psidium guajava is an ornamental, evergreen shrub or small tree with an open crown, that grows 3 - 10 metres tall. The short, often crooked bole can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[]. The tree often has low drooping branches and root suckers[].
A very popular fruit crop, widely eaten in many areas of the world. The plant also has a wide range of traditional medicinal uses and is the source of vaarious commodities. The tree is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas around the world for its edible fruit; it is also an excellent pioneer species for establishing woodland gardens; and is often grown as an ornamental[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America from Peru north to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Habitat

Common in disturbed places often forming thickets in pastures, plantations and other similar habitats in the Pacific Islands[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The guava is a hardy tree that adapts to a wide range of growing conditions from the humid lowland tropics to the cooler elevations, fruiting at elevations up to 1,500 metres and surviving as high as 2,000 metres[, ]. It can stand a wide range of temperatures; the highest yields are recorded at mean temperatures of 23 - 28°c, whilst in the subtropics quiescent trees can withstand light frost, and 3.5 - 6 months (depending on the cultivar) of mean temperatures above 16°c are sufficient for flowering and fruiting[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It can also tolerate low to moderate rainfall levels though, for good fruiting, it requires at least 1,000mm per annum with a clear dry period to allow its fruit to ripen[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 3,000mm, but can tolerate 400 - 5,000mm[]. For maximum production in the tropics it requires rainfall distributed over the year[]. If fruit ripens during a very wet period it loses flavour and may split[].
Prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive soil and a sunny position[]. Plants are tolerant of a range of soil conditions[]. Moderately tolerant of saline soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7.5, tolerating 4 - 8.5[]. The plant is more drought-resistant than most tropical fruit crops[].
The guava often escapes from cultivation and is considered a noxious weed in many tropical pasture lands - its proliferation may result in the abandonment of a pasture[].
There are many named varieties, selected for their superior fruit forms[].
Plants have some deep roots, but do not form a taproot[].
The trees flower all year round[]. Seedlings may flower within 2 years; clonally propagated trees often begin to bear during the first year after planting[]. Trees reach full bearing after 5 - 8 years, depending on growing conditions and spacing[]. The guava is not a long-lived tree (about 40 years), but the plants may bear heavily for 15 - 25 years[].
Average yields are between 30 - 40 kg/plant in 5 year-old plants and will reach a maximum production of 50 - 70 kg at about 7 years if well managed[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The flavour can range from sweet to acidic[]. A soft fleshy pulp with a delicious aromatic flavour[, ]. Very high in vitamin C, it is also a good source of vitamin A and pectin[, ]. The fruit makes a very nice jam and can also be pureed then added to a range of desserts[]. The yellow-skinned fruit can be ovoid or pear shaped, is 4 - 12cm in diameter and can weigh up to 500g[]

An edible oil is obtained from the seeds[].

In some Asian countries such as Indonesia, the leaves are used in cooking[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the plant is antispasmodic, astringent, febrifuge and vulnerary[].
Guava exhibits antibacterial action against intestinal pathogens such as Staphylococcus[].

All parts of the young fruit are astringent[]. The dried ripe fruits are recommended as a remedy for dysentery, while the leaves and fruits are used as a cure for diarrhoea[]. The ripe, fresh fruit is eaten as a cure for constipation[]. Water from soaking the fruit is good to treat diabetes[]. The clear fruit juice has been recommended as a treatment for hepatitis, gonorrhoea, and diarrhoea[].

The oil from the seed contains bisabolene and flavonoids that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties[].

Compounds in the leaves have shown antidiabetic activity[]. The leaves are used as a treatment for diarrhoea, coughs, stomach ache and dysentery [, ]. The leaves are pounded, squeezed in salt water and the solution is used to treat toothaches[].
A decoction of the leaves or bark is taken externally as a lotion for skin complaints, ringworm, wounds, and ulcers[].

The bark, mixed with the roots of Achyranthes aspera and Urena lobata, is used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A popular fruit crop with many other uses, the plant succeeds in full sun and quickly establishes itself in pastures etc; it is an excellent pioneer species for use in permaculture when establishing woodland gardens[].
The plant has been identified as useful for bio-indication and as a bio-accumulator in India. It is sensitive to sulphur dioxide[].

Other Uses

The leaves and bark may be used for dyeing and tanning[, ].
The leaves are pounded with coconut milk and other substances to make a dye that turns silk black[].

The leaves are the source of an essential oil that contains methylchavicol, persein and d-pinene[].

The plant has insecticidal properties[].


The heartwood is brown or reddish; the sapwood light brown. The wood is hard, moderately heavy, moderately strong, very elastic and moderately durable. It is used for tool handles, fence posts and in carpentry and turnery[, ].
The wood makes excellent firewood and charcoal, at least in part because of its abundance, natural propagation, and classification as an undesirable weed[].

Propagation

Seed - very easy, plants will often self-sow very freely[]. Seedlings tend to be true to their parents and can fruit within 3 years of germinating[]. Seed can be sown in beds, pots or directly in the field at a depth of 1 cm; germination occurs within 15 - 20 days[]. They should be planted out when about 25 cm high[].
Air-layering.
Cuttings.
Grafting.

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