Strawberry Guava Live Plant – Psidium cattleianum, 12 inch Bush in 4 inch Pot

Overview

Discover the joy of growing your own fruit with this exquisite strawberry guava live plant. Scientifically known as Psidium cattleianum, and also commonly referred to as Cattley Guava, this plant is a fantastic choice for both novice and experienced gardeners alike. Originating from Brazil, the strawberry guava live plant is cherished for its robust growth, ornamental appeal, and, most importantly, its delectable fruit. This particular specimen arrives as a healthy 12-inch bush, ready to be nurtured in your garden or a larger container. Its unique aesthetic, featuring attractive reddish-brown colored bark and glossy green foliage that takes on a red-bronzed hue when new, makes it a standout. Beyond its visual charm, the plant promises a bountiful harvest of flavorful, sweet-tart fruits, making it a rewarding addition to any home.

This self-fertile bush can reach heights of 6-10 feet, providing ample fruit without requiring a second plant for pollination. It’s a versatile plant, suitable for various climates as it is hardy down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing many gardeners in warmer zones to cultivate it outdoors year-round. For those in cooler regions, it can thrive as a container plant, brought indoors during colder months. The Psidium cattleianum bush is not just a fruit producer; it’s also a beautiful landscape element that adds structure, color, and a touch of the tropics to your outdoor space.

Key Benefits

The strawberry guava live plant offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond its delicious fruit, enhancing both your garden and your lifestyle. Its ease of care and adaptability make it a gardener’s delight.

• Delicious Edible Fruit: Enjoy 1.5-inch diameter fruits with a unique sweet-tart flavor, perfect for fresh eating, jams, jellies, or desserts. Growing your own ensures the freshest, most flavorful produce.
• Attractive Ornamental Plant: Features beautiful reddish-brown bark and glossy green leaves that show attractive red-bronzed new growth, adding year-round visual interest to your garden or patio.
• Hardy & Adaptable: This robust plant is hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. It can be grown in the ground in warmer zones or as a container plant in cooler areas.
• Self-Fertile: The strawberry guava live plant is self-pollinating, meaning you only need one plant to produce fruit, simplifying the gardening process and guaranteeing a harvest.
• Versatile Growth Habit: Can be maintained as a compact shrub or allowed to grow into a small tree, reaching 6-10 feet tall, making it adaptable to different garden sizes and designs.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the cattley guava plant care requirements are relatively simple, making it a great choice for busy gardeners looking for a rewarding fruiting plant.
• Rich in Nutrients: Guava fruits are known for being packed with vitamins and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet straight from your backyard.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper cattley guava plant care is essential for a thriving and productive bush. This resilient plant is relatively easy to care for, but understanding its specific needs will ensure the best results. For sunlight, the strawberry guava live plant thrives in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can protect the foliage from scorching, while in cooler regions, full sun encourages better fruit production and sweeter fruit. Aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth. When it comes to watering, consistent moisture is key, especially when the plant is young and during fruiting periods. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Good drainage is crucial.

The ideal soil type for the Psidium cattleianum bush is well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5-7.0), and rich in organic matter. If planting in a container, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well. These bushes are hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA Zone 9-11), so if you live in a colder zone, consider growing it in a pot that can be brought indoors during winter. Fertilize your grow strawberry guava plant with a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again in mid-summer to support vigorous growth and fruit development. Pruning can be done to maintain size and shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage new growth. Watch out for common pests like aphids or scale; treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap as needed. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

Size & Details

This offering is for one healthy strawberry guava live plant, a 12-inch tall bush, shipped securely in a 4-inch nursery pot. The plant is well-rooted and ready for transplanting into a larger container or directly into your garden. Typically, these bushes grow 6-10 feet tall and can spread 4-6 feet wide, but they are easily pruned to maintain a desired size and shape, making them suitable for various garden spaces, including smaller yards or patios. The fruit, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, will appear after the plant has matured, usually within 2-3 years of planting from this size. Expect a moderate growth rate, with the plant establishing quickly given proper care. It arrives as a potted plant, ensuring minimal transplant shock and a smooth transition to its new home. The self-fertile nature of the plant means you’ll enjoy fruit production without the need for additional pollinators or companion plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this strawberry guava live plant get? A: This plant typically grows into a bush 6-10 feet tall and can spread 4-6 feet wide. However, it can be pruned to maintain a smaller, more manageable size for container growing or compact garden spaces.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The strawberry guava live plant is shipped in a 4-inch nursery pot, and the bush itself stands about 12 inches tall. We recommend transplanting it into a larger pot or the ground upon arrival.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While it can thrive outdoors in USDA Zones 9-11, it can also be grown indoors in a bright, sunny location or moved indoors during winter in colder climates. It’s a versatile plant that adapts to both environments.
• Q: How much sunlight does the Psidium cattleianum bush need? A: This plant prefers full sun (6-8 hours of direct sunlight) for optimal growth and fruit production. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent leaf scorch.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the strawberry guava live plant is considered relatively easy to care for. It’s quite resilient and forgiving once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive as a healthy, live specimen in its nursery pot. Live plants can experience some stress during shipping, but with proper care upon arrival, it should recover quickly.
• Q: How long until it blooms and fruits? A: Typically, a grow strawberry guava plant of this size will start to bloom and produce fruit within 1-3 years of planting, depending on growing conditions and care.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The plant is hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA Zones 9-11). If you live in a colder zone, you will need to protect it from freezing temperatures, either by bringing it indoors or providing adequate winter protection.
• Q: What’s the best way to ensure a good harvest from my cattley guava plant care? A: Provide consistent watering, adequate sunlight, well-draining soil, and regular fertilization. Pruning for shape and air circulation will also contribute to a healthy, productive plant.
• Q: Can I use the fruit for anything besides eating fresh? A: Absolutely! The sweet-tart flavor of grow strawberry guava fruit makes it excellent for making jams, jellies, pies, juices, and other desserts.