Stephen Albert
Acca–commonly called pineapple guava–is a subtropical evergreen shrub cultivated for its colorful cup-shaped flowers and in warm regions for its edible fruits. Acca is sometimes listed under its previous genus name Feijoa.
Acca flowers are more than an inch across; they have long red stamens and purple-red petals that are white on the margins. In subtropical regions, the flowers are followed by small egg-shaped fruits that are edible. Fruits ripen 4 to 5 months after flowering.
Acca fruits are soft and sweet with a slight pineapple-flavored pulp. The fruits are sold under the names “feijoa” or “guava.”
Acca is often grown as a hedge or as a colorful specimen. It is usually multi-stemmed. It tolerates dry, sandy soil and salt spray, but it does not tolerate wind.
Acca is a genus that contains two or three species of evergreen shrubs from dry habitats in South America subtropics. Only one is commonly grown, for its showy midsummer flowers and for edible fruits in the southern part of its range.
Get to know Acca
- Plant type: Evergreen shrub or small tree, usually multi-stemmed
- Growing zones and range: Zones 8-11
- Hardiness: Hardy to Zone 8; fruit need temperatures greater than 40
- Height and width: 6 feet (2m) tall and 8 feet (2.5m) wide
- Foliage: Oval leaves 2 to 3 inclyes long are glossy green above and silvery white beneath
- Flowers: Bears flowers 1.5 inches (4cm) across with long red stamens and purple-red petals white on the margins
- Bloom time: Midsummer
- Fruit: 2-inch egg-shaped fruits are green with a red tinge, maturing to yellow in late summer; fruits ripen 4 to 5 months after flowering.
- Uses: Hedging in mild-winter regions; tolerant of salt and drought
- Common name: Pineapple guava
- Botanical name: Acca sellowiana (Feijoa sellowiana)
- Family name: Myrtaceae
- Origin: Open woodland in subtropical South America
Where to plant Accca
- Plant Acca in full sun; tolerates shade where fruiting is not an issue.
- Acca prefers a light loamy soil.
- Acca is tolerant of heat, drought, and salt spray.
- Plant Acca where it will not be in a prevailing breeze or wind.
When to plant Acca
- Set container-grown plants in the garden in spring or summer.
Planting and spacing Acca
- Space Acca 6 to 8 feet (2.5m) apart.
- With pruning, Acca can be trained as a espalier, screen, hedge, or small tree.
How to water and feed Acca
- Keep the soil evenly moist during summer months; water sparingly in winter.
- Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.
Acca care
- Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.
- Water Acca sparingly in winter.
- Prune Acca lightly after flowering.
- With pruning, Acca can be trained as a espalier, screen, hedge, or small tree.
Acca pests and diseases
- Acca is susceptible to fungal leaf spots.
- Root rot can happen where the soil is poorly drained.
Acca propagation
- Propagate Acca by seeds or cuttings.
- Start seeds in warm soil in a cold frame in autumn or spring.
- Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Acca varieties to grow
- Acca sellowiana, pinneapple guava. Grows 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. Opposite, oval leaves are a lustrous, powdery blue-green and up to 1½ inches (4cm) long. The late-spring flowers, 1½ inches across, have four thick, cupped petals, white on the back and red inside, with a starburst of showy stamens. Two-inch egg-shaped fruits are green with a red tinge, maturing to yellow in late summer and early fall. Zones 8 to 10.
