Plant a young Chilean guava at the old soil line, about 3 feet from its neighbors.
Plant a nursery shrub at the old soil line, about 3 feet apart
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Spring after the last hard frost, into ground that does not flood after rain | Do not plant into a wet pocket that holds water |
| Shrub | A healthy nursery shrub in a container | Do not buy a large plant in a small pot with circling roots |
| Hole | Twice as wide as the pot; old soil line at grade | Do not bury the trunk or put fertilizer in the bottom of the hole |
| Spacing | About 3 feet as a garden shrub; a little closer as a low hedge | Do not crowd an unpruned specimen at hedge spacing |
| Wet ground | Raise a low mound so water leaves the crown | Do not set the root ball below a clay saucer |
A small nursery shrub establishes. Set the mix from the pot at the surrounding soil line so the roots sit where they were grown. [1] Leave about 3 feet from center to center so air moves through the bushes and you can pick without crawling. A low hedge can sit a little closer. [2] Spring after frost is the usual window, because young growth burns in a late freeze. [3] In a garden Chilean guava often stays about 3 to 6 feet. Leave that much room if you will not clip it. [4] Sun and watering stay on How to Grow Chilean Guava.
How far apart do I plant Chilean guava?
About 3 feet as a garden shrub. Set plants a little closer if you will clip a low hedge.
How do I set the nursery line?
Match the old soil line to the surrounding ground. Do not bury the trunk. On wet clay, set the plant on a low mound.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and no deeper than the root ball.
- Slide the shrub out. Tease circling roots so they can run into the backfill.
- Set the old soil line at grade. On wet clay, raise a low mound first so water cannot sit on the crown.
- Backfill with the soil you dug. Firm it gently, water it in, and mulch the surface without piling bark against the stem.
Set the nursery line at grade, water it in, and leave about 3 feet so you are not moving a woody plant later.
FAQ
Should I fertilize in the hole?
No. Mix is not a feed sack. Water it in, then feed on the surface in spring if growth is thin.
Do I have to stake it?
Usually no. Stake only on a windy corner, and take the tie off after a year so the trunk can thicken.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Kings Plant Barn -
https://www.kings.co.nz/growing-guides/chilean-guava - [2] Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland -
https://rhsi.ie/the-fragrant-flavorful-chilean-guava/ - [3] Plants For A Future -
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ugni+molinae - [4] University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources -
https://ucanr.edu/blog/under-solano-sun/article/ugni-molinae
This note is part of Ugni Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors