Guavas (Psidium), which belong to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), produce berry-like fruits that contain a lot of vitamin C and are otherwise very he althy. In addition, the slightly sour fruit is also quite tasty - similar in taste to passion fruit - and is also considered comparatively easy to care for. So it's no wonder that we are increasingly cultivating this exotic plant as a pot plant.
Where does guava originally come from?
Guavas (Psidium) originally come from Central and South America and the Caribbean. There the trees and bushes thrive in tropical and subtropical climates. The genus Psidium includes around 150 different species, including the guava (Psidium guajava) and the strawberry guava (Psidium cattleyanum).
Origin and distribution
Endemic – i.e. H. originally - guavas are primarily native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. There, the trees and bushes, which are up to six meters high on average, thrive in the tropical and subtropical climate and provide the locals with tasty and he althy fruits all year round, which are eaten raw and made into jams and compotes. Since the plant is considered to be quite productive and adaptable, it has now spread to other tropical regions or was introduced there by humans. The plant is native exclusively to the New World, where it has developed an astonishing biodiversity with an estimated 150 different species. However, not all of them produce the sought-after fruits.
Types and varieties of guava
The edible types of guava include, for example, the real guava (Psidium guajava), which is primarily native to South America. This is a tree that grows up to 13 meters high in its homeland and has a smooth, gray bark. This usually produces pear-shaped fruits with white or yellow flesh. The peel is also yellow when ripe. The Brazilian guava (Acca sellowiana), which is also known as the pineapple guava or feijoa, is a shrub-like tree that in nature reaches a maximum height of around five meters. The fruit is not dissimilar to a kiwi in shape and color. This species is particularly suitable for keeping in containers and can even tolerate light frosts. However, although the Brazilian guava is also a myrtle plant, it is not, strictly speaking, a guava - in contrast to the strawberry guava (Psidium cattleyanum), which is also often cultivated as a pot plant and produces bright red fruits.
Tip
No matter which guava you want to grow at home, none of the plants are hardy. The plants that come from the tropics need to be kept cool and frost-free for the winter at around 10 °C and as brightly as possible.
