About
An evergreen shrub or small tree up to 6m tall with prominently-veined, ovate to oblong leaves up to 15cm long with serrated margins. White flowers to 2.5cm across with brush-like clusters of long stamens are borne singly or in small groups and may be produced year-round on newly-emerged lateral shoots. Edible, rounded, egg- or pear-shaped fruits, 2.5 to 10cm long, mature from green to yellowish green with white to deep pink or orange-red flesh.
About the genus
Psidium are small trees or shrubs with evergreen, simple leaves and axillary flowers, usually borne singly or in threes, which may be followed by small, edible fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toS America, Caribbean
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a greenhouse or conservatory in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light but with shade from hot sun. Can also be grown in containers to stand outside in summer but move inside for winter or provide protection from frost
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationPropagate from seed or from suckers
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free but may be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free