When to Plant Guava in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide
What this month normally looks like in Cold / Highland
In October the Cold / Highland zone normally runs 20°C by day and 7°C overnight, with about 58 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -6.4°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 15 postcodes, SILO.
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This Guava guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
Guava is a small, spreading evergreen tree with scented flowers and round fruit rich in vitamin C. It likes warmth, full sun and regular water. Mature trees take light frost, but young trees need cover.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Cold / Highland
Guava is not recommended for Cold / Highland.
Frost hardy only to about minus 1°C (GrowVeg), so cold winters and frost will kill or cut back the tree. A very large pot kept indoors or in a glasshouse in winter is possible but not a garden crop.
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How to Grow Guava in Cold / Highland Australia
- Soil
- Fertile, well drained soil (GrowVeg). Neutral, pH 6.6 to 7.3 (Daleys).
- Salt
- Moderately tolerant. Handles slightly salty water better than most veggies.
- pH Range
- 6.6-7.3
- Sunlight
- Full sun, 80 to 100 per cent (Daleys).
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Chives, Comfrey, Borage, Lemongrass
- Keep away from
- Cucumber, Eggplant, Potato
Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Guava
Recommended Varieties
- Mexican Cream (self pollinating, fruits March to June, Daleys)
- Strawberry guava is a different species
Key Challenges
- Frost and cold winters
Pro Tips
- Indoor or glasshouse pot only
Pests and problems for Guava in Cold / Highland
Harvesting Guava
When ready: Fruit turns from green to yellow green or yellow (GrowVeg). Fruit is ready 90 to 150 days after first bloom (Rob Pyne).
How to harvest: Pick every couple of days, since over ripe fruit attracts fruit fly.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Guava
When do you plant guava in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): all year
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Oct to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Oct to Nov
- Mediterranean (Perth): Oct to Nov
When should I plant Guava in Canberra?
Frost hardy only to about minus 1°C (GrowVeg), so cold winters and frost will kill or cut back the tree. A very large pot kept indoors or in a glasshouse in winter is possible but not a garden crop.
How do I know when Guava are ready to harvest?
Fruit turns from green to yellow green or yellow (GrowVeg). Fruit is ready 90 to 150 days after first bloom (Rob Pyne).
What are the best Guava varieties for Canberra?
Recommended varieties for the Cold / Highland zone include: Mexican Cream (self pollinating, fruits March to June, Daleys), Strawberry guava is a different species.
What grows well with Guava?
Good companion plants for Guava include: Nasturtium, Chives, Comfrey, Borage, Lemongrass.
Are guava salt tolerant?
Fairly. Guava are moderately tolerant of salt and handle slightly salty water better than most veggies.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.