Feijoa — How to Grow Feijoa in Australia

☀️ Sun

Full Sun

💧 Water

Low

↔ Spacing

300cm apart

↕ Height

Up to 4m

📅 Harvest

365 days

Growing Guide

Plant feijoa in spring (September–November) or autumn (March–May) when soil temperatures are moderate and conditions favour strong root establishment. Avoid planting during harsh summer heat or winter frost periods in cooler regions. Choose a full sun position with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best fruiting results. Prepare soil by digging in generous amounts of compost and well-rotted manure to a depth of 40–50 cm, ensuring free-draining conditions — feijoa dislikes waterlogged roots. A slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0–7.0 is ideal. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball, plant at the same depth as the nursery pot, backfill, and water in thoroughly with a seaweed solution to reduce transplant stress. Watering: Once established (after 12 months), feijoa is drought tolerant. During the first two seasons, water deeply once or twice weekly in dry spells. Mature plants need watering only during extended dry periods, particularly when fruit is forming in summer. Apply a thick mulch layer of 7–10 cm around the base, keeping it clear of the trunk, to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Feeding: Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring and again after fruiting. Harvest: Fruit is ready when it drops naturally from the tree, typically from April to June depending on your variety and region. Gently squeeze — ripe fruit gives slightly. Avoid picking too early; fallen fruit has the best flavour.

🤝 Good Companions

Feijoa pairs excellently with lavender comfrey lemon thyme and borage — lavender and thyme attract beneficial pollinators that improve fruit set while comfrey acts as a dynamic accumulator drawing up deep nutrients and borage repels pest insects while further supporting pollinating bee populations.

❌ Avoid Planting With

Avoid planting feijoa near fennel as fennel releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit the growth of many fruiting plants including feijoa. Also keep feijoa away from large thirsty trees like eucalyptus that compete aggressively for soil moisture and nutrients.

🐛 Pests & Diseases

Feijoa is generally pest-resistant in Australia, but fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) can be a serious issue in Queensland and northern NSW — use exclusion bags on developing fruit and hang approved lure traps as organic management. Scale insects and sooty mould can occasionally affect foliage; treat scale with horticultural white oil spray in early morning and the sooty mould will resolve once the scale is controlled. Root rot caused by Phytophthora can occur in poorly drained soils, so ensuring good drainage and avoiding overwatering is the best preventative measure.

🌱 Fertilising

Feed feijoa in early spring with a complete balanced organic fertiliser or citrus-style blend high in potassium to encourage flowering and fruiting, then apply a second feed of compost or aged manure after harvest in autumn to replenish soil nutrients. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilisers, which promote lush leafy growth at the expense of fruit production — a slow-release organic option applied at label rates is ideal for Australian conditions.

✂️ Pruning & Training

Prune feijoa lightly after harvest in late autumn to early winter (May–July), removing crossing branches, dead wood, and any inward-facing growth to open the canopy and improve airflow and light penetration. If growing as a hedge, tip prune after fruiting to maintain shape, but avoid heavy pruning as feijoa fruits on the previous season's growth and over-pruning will significantly reduce next year's crop.

🔬 Propagation

Feijoa is most reliably propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer to autumn (February–April), dipped in rooting hormone gel and struck in a free-draining propagating mix in a warm, sheltered position. Growing from seed is possible but seedlings are variable in fruit quality and take longer to fruit (5–7 years), so purchasing grafted or cutting-grown named varieties such as 'Mammoth', 'Unique', or 'Apollo' is strongly recommended for consistent and earlier yields.

🗓 When to Plant

Spring

🌾 Harvest

Autumn

🌏 Australian Climates

Temperate Cool Temperate Mediterranean Subtropical

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