Pineapple Guava (EarliHart™)

Earlihart Feijoa (Pineapple Guava)

Earlihart Feijoa is a well-regarded pineapple guava variety valued for its excellent fruit quality and reliable productivity. This New Zealand selection produces medium to large fruit with a smooth green exterior and aromatic, sweet flesh that captures the classic tropical flavor feijoa is known for.

The fruit develops a rich flavor often described as a blend of pineapple, guava, and citrus with a fragrant aroma. When fully ripe, the soft, creamy interior becomes very sweet and juicy, making Earlihart an excellent variety for fresh eating as well as desserts, preserves, and smoothies.

In addition to its fruit, Earlihart forms a beautiful evergreen shrub with silvery-green foliage and attractive white flowers with red stamens. The flowers themselves are edible and slightly sweet, making the plant both ornamental and productive in edible landscapes.

Key Characteristics

Fruit Quality:
Produces medium to large oval green fruit with creamy aromatic flesh. The flavor is sweet and tropical with classic pineapple guava notes and balanced acidity.

Harvest Timing:
As the name suggests, Earlihart is considered an early-ripening feijoa and typically begins ripening in mid-fall depending on climate.

Yield:
Productive once established. Plants typically begin fruiting in about 3–4 years, with mature shrubs capable of producing consistent annual harvests.

Pollination:
Partially self-fertile but produces heavier crops when cross-pollinated with another feijoa variety.

Compatible pollinators may include:
✔ Anatoki Feijoa
✔ Kaiteri Feijoa
✔ Kakariki Feijoa
✔ Marion Feijoa
✔ Ramsey Feijoa
✔ Takaka Feijoa

Planting two different varieties nearby can improve fruit set, fruit size, and overall yield.

Growing Requirements

Hardiness Zones:
Generally hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Mature plants can tolerate short periods around 10–15°F once established.

Utah Growing Notes:
Feijoa are considered borderline hardy in many parts of Utah. In protected microclimates along the Wasatch Front, such as against a south-facing wall or with winter protection, some growers have successfully overwintered plants. In colder areas they may perform best in containers that can be moved to a protected location during severe winter weather.

Growth Habit:
Evergreen shrub that typically grows 10–15 feet tall and wide but can be maintained smaller with pruning. Plants can also be trained into a hedge or small tree form.

Soil & Sun:
Performs best in full sun with well-drained soil. Feijoa tolerate a range of soil types and become fairly drought tolerant once established.

Maintenance:
Low maintenance plant that benefits from occasional pruning to maintain structure and airflow. Fruit typically drops when fully ripe and can be harvested from the ground or picked slightly early and allowed to finish ripening indoors.