When to Plant 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 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
- Sep to Nov
- 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 Subtropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Daleys lists tropical and subtropical as suited climates. Plant in spring in full sun. The trees go dormant in winter and the last fruit came off in mid June in a Queensland study (CSIRO). Fruit fly is the main problem.
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How to Grow Guava in Subtropical 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
Subtropical Growing Tips for Guava
Recommended Varieties
- Mexican Cream (self pollinating, fruits March to June, Daleys)
- Strawberry guava is a different species
Key Challenges
- Fruit fly
- Winter dormancy and cold
- Myrtle rust
Pro Tips
- Plant in spring in full sun
- Prune once or twice a year
Pests and problems for Guava in Subtropical
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 Brisbane?
Daleys lists tropical and subtropical as suited climates. Plant in spring in full sun. The trees go dormant in winter and the last fruit came off in mid June in a Queensland study (CSIRO). Fruit fly is the main problem.
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 Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.