How to Grow Guava in Pots from Seeds: Step-by-Step Guide for Big Harvests at Home

Guava is one of the easiest tropical fruits you can grow at home, even if you don’t have a garden. With just a pot, good soil, and a few ripe guava seeds, you can grow a healthy guava tree that produces delicious, fragrant fruits. Guava plants adapt very well to container gardening and can thrive on balconies, terraces, or sunny windowsills.

Growing guava from seed requires patience, but it is rewarding and surprisingly simple once you understand the steps. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from seed preparation to fruit production.

1.Collecting and Preparing Guava Seeds
Choosing the right guava
Select a fully ripe, soft guava—the sweeter and more aromatic, the better. Ripe fruits contain mature seeds with higher germination rates.
Cleaning the seeds
Scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Place them in a bowl of water.
Rub them gently to remove all pulp.
Let the seeds dry for 24 hours.
Optional: Improve germination
Guava seeds have a hard outer shell. To speed up sprouting:
Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours or
Lightly scratch the seed coat with sandpaper.

2.Planting Guava Seeds in Pots
Best pot size
Start with a small pot (10–12 cm) for germination, then transplant later. Ensure drainage holes are present.
Soil mix
Guava prefers light, fertile, well-draining soil. Use:
50% potting soil
30% compost
20% sand/perlite
How to sow
Fill the pot with moist soil.
Plant each seed 1–1.5 cm deep.
Water lightly—do not soak.
Cover the pot with plastic wrap to retain humidity.
Germination time
Guava seeds take 3–8 weeks to sprout, depending on temperature.
Ideal temperature: 24–30°C (75–86°F).

3.Caring for Young Guava Seedlings
Light
Place seedlings in bright, indirect sunlight.
Avoid strong midday sun until they mature.
Watering
Keep the soil slightly moist, not soggy.
Overwatering is the most common cause of failure.
Transplanting
When seedlings reach 10–15 cm height:
Move them to a larger pot—about 20–25 cm.
Add compost during transplanting.
Guava grows fast when roots have space.

4.Growing Guava Trees in Containers
Pot size for mature plants
A mature guava tree grows best in a 40–60 cm pot.
Sun exposure
Guava loves full sun—at least 6–8 hours per day.
Feeding
Use fertilizer every 4–6 weeks:
Balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer
Or organic compost/banana water
Pruning
Pruning encourages:
bushier growth
more flowers
bigger fruit harvests
Cut back long branches regularly to maintain shape.

5.Fruiting: When Will You Get Guavas?
Growing guava from seed takes patience.
Fruiting timeline
Seedlings: 3–6 months
First fruits: 2–4 years (depending on variety and care)
Guava trees in pots do produce fruit, as long as they receive sunlight, balanced feeding, and consistent watering.

6.Pollination Tips for Better Harvests
Guava flowers are self-pollinating, but you can help by:
Shaking the plant gently
Using a soft brush to transfer pollen between flowers
This increases fruit set, especially indoors.

7.Common Problems & Solutions
Yellow leaves
Overwatering → allow soil to dry slightly.
Slow growth
Not enough sunlight → move the pot to a sunnier area.
Dropping flowers
Lack of nutrients → fertilize monthly.

Growing guava fruits in a pot from seeds is an enjoyable and fulfilling gardening project. With a bit of patience and proper care, you can enjoy your own home-grown tropical fruits—even without a backyard. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, guava is a fantastic plant to cultivate in containers.