Pineapple Guava (Marion)

Marion Feijoa is a productive pineapple guava variety valued for its flavorful fruit and dependable harvests. This variety produces attractive green fruit with aromatic flesh that develops the classic tropical flavor feijoa is known for.

The fruit is typically medium to large with smooth edible skin and a soft, creamy interior when ripe. The flavor is sweet and fragrant with notes of pineapple, guava, and citrus. Marion is well suited for fresh eating and can also be used for jams, desserts, smoothies, and other kitchen uses.

Like other pineapple guavas, Marion also serves as an attractive evergreen landscape plant. The shrub features dense silvery-green foliage and produces striking white flowers with bright red stamens in spring. These petals 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 aromatic cream-colored flesh. The flavor is sweet and tropical with classic pineapple guava notes.

Harvest Timing:
Typically ripens in mid to late fall depending on climate.

Yield:
Productive once established. Plants generally begin producing fruit in about 3–4 years, with mature shrubs capable of producing reliable annual harvests.

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

Compatible pollinators may include:
✔ Anatoki Feijoa
✔ Earlihart Feijoa
✔ Kaiteri Feijoa
✔ Kakariki 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 range of soil types and become relatively drought tolerant once established.

Maintenance:
Low maintenance plant that benefits from occasional pruning to maintain shape 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.