Holly's Homestead — Vine Fruit
Feijoa
Acca sellowiana · Myrtle family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Evergreen perennial shrub
MATURITY 2–3 years to first fruit
TYPE Evergreen perennial shrub
MATURITY 2–3 years to first fruit
Sun
Full sun
Water
Moderate, drought-tolerant once established
Soil pH
5.5–7.0
Spacing
2–4m or as a hedge
Depth
as per pot
01Doubles as an edible hedge
Feijoa handles clipping well and is often grown as a productive hedge or screen — a good option if you want privacy and fruit from the same planting.
02Planting
Method
Plant from a potted shrub.
Soil
Well-drained, tolerates a range of soils.
Timing
Plant in spring or autumn.
03Growing care
- Water regularly while young, then ease off once established.
- Clip as a hedge or leave free-form — both work well.
- Feed lightly once or twice a year.
- Fallen fruit is often ripe — it drops naturally when ready.
04Problems
- Fruit fly — can be an issue in some regions; monitor fallen fruit.
- Few other pest issues — a generally hardy, trouble-free shrub.
- Poor fruit set — needs a second plant nearby for best pollination in many varieties.
- Birds eating fallen fruit — collect promptly once it starts dropping.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Fruit often best picked up once it falls naturally, or gently tested by twisting.
Method
Collect windfalls daily, or twist ripe fruit from the branch.
Curing
Ripens further for a day or two at room temperature.
Storage
Fridge, about a week once ripe.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
ComfreyAvoid nearby
None majorRotation note
Not applicable — long-lived perennial shrub.