5 Best Fertilizer for Guava Trees | How and When To Use

Guava (Psidium guajava) is easily one of my favorite fruits, and when perfectly ripe, it can certainly hit the right balance between sweet juiciness and refreshing tropical flavor. 

Guava trees are generally seen as far more exotic than, say, an orange tree. Yet guava thrives in a variety of warm climates and requires relatively minimal care. The hardest part of caring for a guava tree is providing adequate nutrition — but even that isn’t as hard as you might think!

I may not currently have a guava tree to call my own at moment, but I have grown them before and certainly know a thing or two about growing fruit trees. So I am well equipt to advise you on the best fertilizer for guava trees for the maximum yield. I have shortlisted several high-quality fertilizers that will meet the needs of this delicious tropical treat.

Best Guava Tree Fertilizers

Below you’ll find tons of helpful info about fertilizing and caring for guava trees! If you want to jump straight to the “good stuff,” however, here are the fertilizers I recommend above all others.

Down to Earth Organic Fruit Tree Fertilizer Mix 6-2-4

Best Organic Fertilizer

Down to Earth Organic Fruit Tree Fertilizer Mix 6-2-4

Ideal for getting the season off to a flying start with added magnesium to support healthy Guava crops.

Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Nut Granular Fertilizer 3-5-5

Best Fertilizer Granules

Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Nut Granular Fertilizer 3-5-5

Slow-release organic granules are ideal for use from the start of the growing season onwards or where the soil is already nitrogen-rich. 

Jobe’s Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer Spike 4-6-6

Best Fertilizer Spikes

Jobe’s Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer Spike 4-6-6

Slow-release convenient fertilizer spikes with an even balance of nutrients for season-long fertilizing. Best for potted Guava.

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Choosing the Best Fertilizer for Guava Trees

Guava trees are heavy feeders, especially when putting out flowers and producing fruit. As long as you supply a steady stream of nutrients, guavas are no more difficult to care for than other popular fruit trees. Choose a balanced fertilizer around 5-5-5 NPK, which also includes key micronutrients such as magnesium for fruit production, as well as iron, and calcium.

Granular formulas are my go-to for any type of tree, whether it’s planted in a container or on the landscape.

Outside of these recommendations, there’s no need to overcomplicate your guava tree maintenance!

Guava Tree Fertilizer N-P-K Ratio

Guava trees prefer a relatively balanced N-P-K ratio that is not too concentrated. A ratio close to 5-5-5 is a great starting point offering a balance of macronutrients.

An N-P-K ratio is a sequence of three numbers that represent (in order) the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in a fertilizer.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are considered macronutrients. They are the most important nutrients your guava tree needs. Other nutrients like iron, calcium, and magnesium are not included in N-P-K ratios.

Guava Soil pH and Nutrient Uptake

Guava trees prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 7.0. 

Soil pH is rarely an issue when growing guavas, but it can affect the availability of key micronutrients like iron and magnesium. If your guava tree appears to be lacking either of these nutrients, consider conducting a soil pH test before applying additional fertilizer.

Granular Vs Liquid Fertilizer

The nutrient profile of any given fertilizer is obviously very important. But the exact form that fertilizer takes can also play a role in its efficacy.

Guava trees do best with a granular, slow-release fertilizer. However, liquid formulas and fertilizer spikes can also be used to great effect.

Liquid Concentrate or Spray

I usually reach for liquid fertilizers when overfeeding is a big concern. Liquid fertilizers are super easy to dilute. (Fortunately, overfeeding isn’t really an issue with guava trees.)

The defining characteristic of liquid fertilizer is that it acts quickly but doesn’t stick around in the soil for long. You should expect to feed as often as once per week using this type of formula. Because of this, liquid fertilizer is rarely the most cost-effective choice for fruit trees.

Fertilizer Granules

When given the choice, I always recommend using fertilizer granules for guava trees. In particular, you should look for a formula labeled slow- or continuous-release. Most granular formulas feed for several weeks or longer!

Another great reason to opt for granular fertilizer for larger trees is that it is less expensive than other options.

Fertilizer Spikes

Fertilizer spikes tend to work like granules but with an obviously different shape.

The most obvious advantage of fertilizer spikes is that there’s zero measuring or mess involved. They’re easier to store. If your potted guava tree is located outdoors, fertilizer spikes are less likely to blow or wash away than granules.

As far as disadvantages go, fertilizer spikes can be quite expensive and may cause root damage if inserted too close to the root structure.

Organic vs Synthetic Fertilizers

Many gardeners feel more comfortable applying organic fertilizers to edible fruit and vegetable plants. But I caution you against assuming that all organic fertilizers are better than their synthetic counterparts!

At the end of the day, organic and synthetic fertilizers deliver the same type of nutrients to the soil. The difference is in where those nutrients come from. 

Organic fertilizers source nutrients from plant and animal matter, and organic materials like aged manure or peat moss. Meanwhile, synthetic fertilizers source nutrients from inorganic materials like minerals and gasses.

Best Guava Tree Fertilizer Reviews

Don’t believe anyone who says you need an expensive or hard-to-find fertilizer to feed guava trees! Generally speaking, any fertilizer formulated for fruit trees will do the trick. For optimal results, however, I’ve summarized some of my personal favorites below:

Pros

  • Certified for organic production by OMRI
  • Supplemented with magnesium and calcium
  • Safe for all fruit-bearing trees and shrubs

Cons

  • Does not have a balanced N-P-K ratio

Down to Earth is one of the first brands I recommend to anyone looking for organic, easy-to-use fertilizer. This formula is ideal for guavas plus a whole host of other fruit-bearing trees and shrubs.

You might notice that this particular fertilizer is less balanced than others. While guava trees require a fairly even ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, it’s pretty common for native soil to already contain sufficient amounts of the latter two nutrients. If that’s the case for your orchard bed, this fertilizer will provide plenty of nutrition without overfeeding!

This fruit tree fertilizer includes supplemental calcium and magnesium, making it a good choice for Guavas. However, it doesn’t contain any iron. Take this into account when addressing deficiencies in the soil.

How To Use: For trees up to 3 years old, apply 2 cups of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter. For trees older than 3 years, apply up to 4 pounds of fertilizer per tree.

Evenly distribute fertilizer throughout the tree’s drip line. Do not apply fertilizer within 1 foot of the trunk. Do not add this fertilizer to the hole prior to transplanting your guava tree.

Pros

  • Formulated with proprietary microorganisms
  • Approved for organic gardening by OMRI
  • Delivers magnesium, calcium, and sulfur

Cons

  • Will not address iron deficiencies

Jobe’s Organics has several formulas designed for fruit trees. This is my selection from their granular fertilizer range but see my pick below if you prefer the convenience of spikes. I prefer using the Fruit & Nut granular fertilizer for feeding larger, in-ground guava trees.

The N-P-K ratio of this granular fertilizer is ideal for feeding later in the growing season. I also recommend it for young or recently transplanted trees that might be at higher risk of nitrogen overdose.

Another thing I like about this formula is the inclusion of something called Biozome. Biozome is a proprietary blend of beneficial fungi and bacteria that supports overall soil and root health. It’s also unique to the Jobe’s portfolio of fertilizer products.

How To Use: For potted trees, feed 1 ½ cups of fertilizer per 16-inch container. For landscape trees, feed 3 cups of fertilizer per 1 inch of trunk diameter. If your guava tree’s trunk is larger than 3 inches in diameter, feed 9 cups of fertilizer per inch.

Pros

  • Specially formulated for potted fruit trees
  • Certified organic by OMRI
  • Contains beneficial soil microbes

Cons

  • May not evenly distribute nutrients

I usually say that the inefficiency of fertilizer spikes outweighs the convenience. But I’m willing to make an exception for container-grown trees. These Jobe’s Organics spikes are what I recommend for potted guava trees.

With a 4-6-6 nutritional profile, these fertilizer spikes are fairly balanced making them a good NPK option for Guavas. The lower percentage of nitrogen reduces the risk of acute fertilizer burn. However, you might find that your guava trees need an extra dose of nitrogen during the peak growing season.

This formula includes the aforementioned Biozome mixture. The beneficial microbes in this fertilizer can benefit both potting mixes and regular garden soil.

How To Use: Apply 1 fertilizer spike per 6 inches of trunk diameter. Be sure to space the spikes evenly throughout your guava tree container. Do not insert spikes too close to the trunk’s base. Replace every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season.

Pros

  • Certified organic and GMO-free
  • Supplemented with beneficial fungi and bacteria
  • Can be applied directly or dissolved in water

Cons

  • Smells a bit like manure

There’s no shortage of high-quality organic fertilizer available to home gardeners. Dr. Earth is yet another brand I see good things from.

A big selling point of this fertilizer is its use of feed-grade ingredients. If you’re nervous about adding fertilizer to an indoor guava tree, a formula like this one might offer a little extra peace of mind. (Of course, all fertilizers should be kept away from curious pets and children.)

My one concern with this formula is the low percentage of potassium which is a requirement for healthy root growth. Unless you’re supplementing with another potassium source, keep an eye on your guava tree for any signs of deficiency.

How To Use: To prepare the soil for transplanting, mix in 2 ½ cups of fertilizer per 5 gallons of soil. 

When feeding established guava trees, apply at a rate of 1 cup per inch of trunk diameter throughout the dripline. Rake the fertilizer into the top layer of soil before watering thoroughly.

Pros

  • Safe for all edible plants
  • Fortified with iron, calcium, manganese, copper, and zinc
  • OMRI-certified for food production

Cons

  • May attract insects

A guava tree can be a unique addition to any fruit and vegetable garden. If you’re looking for a fertilizer that’s safe to use on all of your edible plants, this organic formula from Miracle-Gro is a prime option.

I recommend this formula if your guava tree is growing alongside a variety of other fruit and vegetable plants. Or if you’re unable to find some of the smaller brands I’ve suggested here in your area.

How To Use: For in-ground trees, apply up to 1 cup of fertilizer per 25 square feet of soil. For trees in pots, apply 2 tablespoons of fertilizer per gallon of the container. Mix into the top layer of soil and water thoroughly.

How to Fertilize Guava Trees

Applying a balanced fertilizer about once a month will meet the needs of nearly all guava trees. The most important micronutrients for guavas include iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc. Look for a fertilizer containing these nutrients or supplement separately as needed.

Avoiding Guava Tree Fertilizer Burn

In my experience, guava trees aren’t super prone to fertilizer burn. But that doesn’t mean you can apply more than the recommended amount of fertilizer with zero consequences! Here’s what else I suggest to minimize the risk of overfeeding:

  • Do not fertilize in fall or winter when growth slows
  • Evenly distribute fertilizer throughout the entire dripline
  • Avoid applying fertilizer too close to the trunk
  • Water the area well after applying granular or spike fertilizer
  • Keep nitrogen fertilizer away from guava tree foliage
  • Test the soil for nutrient surpluses/deficiencies

When to Fertilize Guava Trees

Established guava trees should be fed just before leaving winter dormancy. This sets the tree up to exit dormancy with everything it needs to put on as much growth as possible before the fruiting season. Continue feeding throughout the growing season as the tree flowers and fruits. Cease fertilizing in mid-fall well before the tree reenters dormancy.

Fertilizing Guava Trees Pre-Fruiting

It’s widely accepted that it is worthwhile to apply a high-potassium fertilizer immediately before guava trees produce fruit. It’s true that potassium supports fruit development so a worthwhile investment. 

Most of my recommendations for fertilizers are not excessively high in potassium so you may need to incorporate a new fertilizer into your potting shed collection and definitely worth doing if you have other fruiting trees in your collection.

How Often to Fertilize Guava Trees

As with any fertilizer regimen, the exact formula you use has a lot to do with how often you should feed. Liquid fertilizers tend to feed for only a few days at a time. Meanwhile, granules and spikes can feed for several weeks or even months.

Guava trees respond best to fertilizers applied every 1 to 2 months. Young trees thrive with more frequent feedings. Older trees prefer heavy but less-frequent applications. Take this into account when selecting the best formula for your tree.

Verdict: Best Fertilizers for Guava Tree

Feeding your guava tree throughout the entire growing season is the secret to a bountiful harvest! For a heavy dose of nitrogen and other key nutrients at the start of the year, I recommend Down to Earth Organic Fruit Tree Fertilizer Mix 6-2-4.

Down to Earth Organic Fruit Tree Fertilizer Mix 6-2-4

Best Organic Fertilizer

Down to Earth Organic Fruit Tree Fertilizer Mix 6-2-4

100% natural and organic fruit tree fertilizer with trusted OMRI certification. Ideal for getting the growing season off to a flying start and with added magnesium to support Guava tree common deficiencies.

Switching to a fertilizer with a more balanced N-P-K ratio, like Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Nut Granular Fertilizer 3-5-5, will further support flower and fruit production as the growing season progresses.

Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Nut Granular Fertilizer 3-5-5

Best Fertilizer Granules

Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Nut Granular Fertilizer 3-5-5

Slow-release organic granules are ideal for use from the start of the growing season onwards or where the soil is already nitrogen-rich. 

But, if you’re looking for a mess-free solution for potted guava trees, Jobe’s Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer Spike 4-6-6 is a great alternative. 

Jobe’s Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer Spike 4-6-6

Best Fertilizer Spikes

Jobe’s Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer Spike 4-6-6

Slow-release, mess-free, and convenient fertilizer spikes with an even balance of nutrients for season-long fertilizing. My top pick for potted Guavas.

FAQ’s Fertilizing Guava Trees