Strawberry Guava(Strawberry pera/Munthiri pera)

The Strawberry Guava is a small tropical fruit tree that combines beauty with delicious, berry-like fruits. It’s popular in home gardens because it’s compact, hardy, and produces fruit with a sweet strawberry-like flavor.

General Information

• Scientific name: Psidium cattleianum 

• Common names: Strawberry Guava, Cattley Guava, Cherry Guava,strawberry pera/munthiri pera

• Type: Evergreen shrub or small tree

• Height: 6–15 ft (can reach 20 ft if unpruned)

• Leaves: Shiny, leathery, dark green, evergreen

• Flowers: White, fragrant

• Fruits: Small, round (2–4 cm), deep red to purple skin, white pulp with a sweet-tart strawberry-like flavor

 Growing Conditions

• Sun Light: Full sun to partial shade (more sun = more fruit)

• Soil: Well-draining loamy or sandy soil

• Watering: Moderate; water regularly while young, drought-tolerant when established

 Care 

• Fertilizer: Balanced fruit fertilizer 

• Pruning:

  • Shape into a small tree or dense shrub

  • Remove suckers and crowded branches for airflow

 Uses

• Taste: Sweet, aromatic, with a hint of strawberry

• Uses:

  • Fresh eating (like popping a berry)

  • Juices, jams, jellies, sauces, desserts

  • Leaves sometimes used in folk medicine (digestive aid, antioxidant