When to Plant Chilean Guava in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide
What this month normally looks like in Subtropical
In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 33 postcodes, SILO.
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This Chilean Guava guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
Chilean guava, also sold as strawberry myrtle or Tazzberry, is a small evergreen shrub about 1 to 1.5 m with aromatic red berries (Daleys, Diggers).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Subtropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar P
- Apr P
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov -
- Dec -
P = Planting window
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. A forum grower whose plant struggled in heat shows it is a gamble, and the only Queensland comment on the Daleys page (Mackay) does not report a crop; Daleys lists only temperate climates. Give it afternoon shade and shelter. Plant in autumn or spring (our timing); harvest February and March follows the Daleys listing.
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How to Grow Chilean Guava in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Good drainage (Daleys).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.6-7.3
- Sunlight
- Full sun or part shade (Diggers); shelter from hot afternoon sun and wind (Daleys).
- Keep away from
- Hot west facing walls, Windy exposed sites, Other rust affected Myrtaceae
Subtropical Growing Tips for Chilean Guava
Recommended Varieties
- Chilean guava, seedling or cutting grown (Daleys, Diggers)
Key Challenges
- Heat and wind
- Myrtle rust
- Winter chill in warm districts
Pro Tips
- Afternoon shade
- Wind shelter
- Water while young
Pests and problems for Chilean Guava in Subtropical
Harvesting Chilean Guava
When ready: Berries turn deep red and smell strongly of strawberry.
How to harvest: Pick by hand over several weeks.
Storing and preserving chilean guava
How to keep it
- Freezing. Tray freeze then bag (NCHFP). Keeps: 8 to 12 months.
- Jam. Tested berry jam method, water bath (NCHFP). Keeps: 12 months.
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 Chilean Guava
When do you plant chilean guava in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): not recommended
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Oct
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to Apr
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
When should I plant Chilean Guava in Brisbane?
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. A forum grower whose plant struggled in heat shows it is a gamble, and the only Queensland comment on the Daleys page (Mackay) does not report a crop; Daleys lists only temperate climates. Give it afternoon shade and shelter. Plant in autumn or spring (our timing); harvest February and March follows the Daleys listing.
How do I know when Chilean Guava are ready to harvest?
Berries turn deep red and smell strongly of strawberry.
What are the best Chilean Guava varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Chilean guava, seedling or cutting grown (Daleys, Diggers).
Are chilean guava salt tolerant?
No. Chilean guava are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.