When to Plant Guava in Sydney, Warm Temperate Guide
What this month normally looks like in Warm Temperate
In October the Warm Temperate zone normally runs 24°C by day and 13°C overnight, with about 66 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -1.5°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 153 postcodes, SILO.
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This Guava guide is written for the Warm Temperate zone, which takes in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Oct 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 Warm Temperate
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Hardy only to about minus 1°C (GrowVeg), and Daleys rates frost tolerance as sometimes. Plant in spring in a warm, frost free spot and cover young trees in winter. Fruit months are our estimate from the subtropical crop.
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How to Grow Guava in Warm Temperate 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
Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Guava
Recommended Varieties
- Mexican Cream (self pollinating, fruits March to June, Daleys)
- Strawberry guava is a different species
Key Challenges
- Frost under about minus 1°C
- Cool winters slow fruit ripening
Pro Tips
- Warmest sheltered spot
- Cover young trees in frost
Pests and problems for Guava in Warm Temperate
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 Sydney?
Hardy only to about minus 1°C (GrowVeg), and Daleys rates frost tolerance as sometimes. Plant in spring in a warm, frost free spot and cover young trees in winter. Fruit months are our estimate from the subtropical 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 Sydney?
Recommended varieties for the Warm Temperate 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 Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.