Pineapple Guava (Kakariki ™)

Kakariki Feijoa (Pineapple Guava)

Kakariki Feijoa is a high-quality pineapple guava variety developed in New Zealand and known for its excellent flavor, attractive fruit, and reliable productivity. This selection produces medium to large fruit with smooth green skin and aromatic flesh that delivers the classic tropical taste feijoa is prized for.

The fruit develops a rich flavor often described as a blend of pineapple, guava, and citrus with a fragrant sweetness when fully ripe. The creamy interior becomes soft and juicy at maturity, making Kakariki an excellent variety for fresh eating as well as desserts, preserves, and smoothies.

Beyond its fruit production, Kakariki is also an attractive evergreen shrub. The plant features glossy green leaves with silvery undersides and produces showy spring flowers with white petals and bright red stamens. These flowers 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 character and balanced acidity.

Harvest Timing:
Typically ripens in mid to late 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
✔ Earlihart Feijoa
✔ Kaiteri 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 near a south-facing wall or with winter protection, some gardeners 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 wide range of soil types and become relatively 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.