How to grow a feijoa tree in Australia

5 top tips for growing feijoas

You can plant feijoas in autumn if you live in a frost-free area. Frosty winters? Wait until spring. 

Give them lots of sunshine. A little afternoon shade is okay, but the more sun, the more fruit.  

If you want a bumper harvest, plant more than one type to boost pollination. 

Feijoas hate wet feet. Keep your plant well-watered, but never soggy. 

Prune lightly after fruiting to keep your plants productive, but don’t prune too much as it could affect how much fruit you get next season. 

When to grow feijoas

Feijoas are hardy little things and can be planted year-round in most parts of Australia. But for the best results, plant them in autumn.  This gives the tree time to establish its roots before spring. 

• Plant feijoas: March to May 

• Harvest feijoas: February to June 

In frosty areas, wait until spring, when the soil has warmed up a bit.  

Feijoa varieties to grow

Boost your harvest by choosing the right variety. Some popular varieties are: 

• Mammoth 

• White Goose 

• Triumph 

• Nazemetz.  

Mammoth and Nazemetz are self-fertile, so they’ll fruit solo. Other types are best grown with pals. Pick a few different varieties to encourage cross-pollinations. That means more birds, more bees and more juicy fruit for you. 

Planting your feijoa tree

Feijoas thrive in sunny locations with well-draining soil. Here’s how to keep them happy: 

1. Choose your spot: Pick a spot with full sun or partial shade and decent drainage. 

2. Prep the soil: Mix in a soil improver to give your tree a good head start.  

3. Dig the hole: About twice as wide and deep as the pot. 

4. Plant the tree: Pop the feijoa tree in the centre of the hole and fill it with soil. 

5. Mulch and water: Add mulch around the base to protect the roots, and water well.  

Planting feijoa as a hedge

Feijoa trees make fantastic hedges – tough, dense, and they look great. Space them about one metre apart for a thick hedge and keep them looking neat with light trims. Just don’t trim too much. Too much pruning equals less fruit.  

Growing feijoas in pots 

No garden? No worries! Feijoa trees love a pot. To grow feijoas in pots: 

1. Use a medium-to-large pot with good drainage. 

2. Fill the pot with Scotts Osmocote Citrus & Fruit Potting Mix. 

3. Pop the tree in the centre and fill the gaps with soil, patting it down firmly. 

4. Pop in a sunny spot and water well. 

How to care for feijoas  

Feijoa trees are pretty easy-going, but a little TLC goes a long way. 

Watering feijoas

Water regularly during summer and dry spells, especially when fruiting.  

Soggy roots means sad fruit. Avoid overwatering – this can impact the fruit’s flavour.  

Mulching feijoas

Mulch to keep in moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the roots.  

Fertilising feijoas

Feed feijoas every 4-6 months.  

Use a controlled-release fertiliser like Scotts Osmocote Controlled Release Fertiliser in late winter or early spring and again after fruiting.  

Dealing with pests and diseases

Feijoas are generally hardy, but you might have to deal with an uninvited guest or two: 

• Scale insects: Use an insecticide or natural remedy. 

• Leafroller caterpillars: These dark green caterpillars eat the leaves. Cut off infested leaves and treat if needed. 

• Fruit fly: Use a bait spray on the trunks and leaves from when the fruit is young up until harvest. 

Harvesting feijoa fruit

Harvesting feijoas is a breeze. And no guessing needed! When the fruit is ripe, it will naturally fall from the tree. Ripe feijoa fruits are slightly soft to the touch and full of flavour.  

Seed-grown trees might take up to seven years to deliver their first crop, but grafted feijoa trees should start to fruit within the first two years.  

When to prune feijoa trees in Australia

Prune feijoa trees lightly after fruiting in autumn or early winter to encourage new growth, but if you’re in a frosty area, best to wait until spring. For hedges, trim to keep its shape, but go easy if you want lots of flowers and fruit next season. 

How to prune a feijoa tree

Use sharp, clean tools and make angled cuts above buds or branches. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches, as well as branches that are too low or too close to the trunk.