Guava - Lemon Cattley (Psidium cattleyanum) SEEDS
🌿 Lemon Cattley Guava Seeds (Psidium cattleyanum) – Zesty Tropical Flavor in Every Seed 🍋
Bring a bold citrus twist to your edible landscape with Lemon Cattley Guava — a rare, cold-hardy tropical fruit that delivers an unforgettable balance of lemony brightness and classic guava sweetness. Grow it from seed and watch your own fruiting tree come to life 🌱✨
🌱 Quick Facts – At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Psidium cattleyanum |
| Plant Type | Evergreen fruit tree / shrub |
| Product Type | Seed Pack (10+ seeds) |
| Estimated Germination Time | 2–8 weeks (warm conditions) |
| Time to Fruiting (Seed-Grown) | 2–4+ years |
| Mature Height | 6–15 ft pruned / up to 30–40 ft unpruned |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6–8+ hrs) |
| Cold Hardiness | ~22°F once established |
| Growth Habit | Dense, multi-branching shrub or small tree |
| Spacing | 8–15 ft between plants |
🍋 Flavor & Fruit Profile – What Makes It Special
- Flavor: Bright citrusy tang with sweet guava undertones
- Texture: Soft, juicy pulp with small edible seeds
- Aroma: Highly fragrant, tropical citrus scent
- Fruit Size: Small (cherry-sized)
- Color: Yellow skin when ripe
🍈 This is one of the most unique guavas you can grow — often described as a “lemon-guava hybrid experience” (though botanically a guava).
Florida Harvest Season:
- Late summer through fall
- May produce multiple flushes in ideal conditions
Other Regions:
- Warmer climates: extended fruiting season
- Cooler zone 9: typically one main crop per year
🌟 Why Grow Lemon Cattley Guava?
🍽 Culinary Uses
- Eat fresh straight from the tree
- Blend into juices, smoothies, and cocktails
- Make jams, jellies, and preserves
- Use in marinades, sauces, and tropical dressings
🌿 Nutritional Benefits
- High in Vitamin C
- Rich in antioxidants
- Traditionally valued for digestive health
🌸 Ornamental Value
- Glossy evergreen leaves
- Compact growth with dense branching
- Attractive edible landscape hedge or privacy screen
🐝 Ecological Benefits
- Pollinator-friendly flowers
- Wildlife forage plant
- Great for food forest layering
🌎 Origin Story
Native to Brazil and Uruguay, Cattley guava has spread across subtropical regions due to its resilience and flavor. Its “lemon” form is a standout variation prized for its bright citrus character and adaptability.
🌱 Growing From Seed – What to Expect
Growing Lemon Cattley Guava from seed is rewarding, but patience is key:
- Germination: 2–8 weeks
- First transplant: when seedlings reach 4–6 inches
- Fruiting timeline: typically 2–4 years, sometimes longer
💡 Seed-grown plants may vary slightly — this is part of the fun for collectors and growers.
Best Practices for Planting & Care
📍 Where to Plant
- Full sun for best fruit production
- Tolerates wind and moderate coastal exposure
- Prefers well-draining soil
🌱 Planting Method (GreenDreams “High & Tight”)
- Dig hole slightly wider than container, same depth
- Plant slightly elevated to improve drainage
- Backfill firmly — no air pockets
- Top dress with compost + mulch (keep away from trunk)
🎥 Planting guide: https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8?si=rRIcsbLlVAVYotfI
💧 Watering
- Seedlings: keep consistently moist (not soggy)
- Established plants: water deeply 1–2x per week
- Drip irrigation preferred over overhead
✂️ Pruning
- Responds well to shaping
- Maintain at 6–10 ft for easy harvest
- Dense growth makes it ideal for hedging
🌿 Fertilizing
- Use balanced organic fertilizer during growing season
- Supplement with compost and micronutrients
❄️ Winter Care (Florida)
- May slow growth in cooler months
- Protect young plants from frost
🪴 Container Growing
✔ Excellent candidate for container culture
- Start in small pots → move to 1 gal → 3 gal → 7 gal+
- Use well-draining mix (compost + sand/perlite blend)
- Ensure good airflow and drainage
💡 Wait at least 30 days after arrival or until new growth before transplanting
⚠️ Cautions
- Can naturalize in some climates — manage fruit drop
- Fruit flies may target ripening fruit
- Avoid overwatering (root rot risk)
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Tropical fruit collectors 🌴
- Florida & subtropical growers
- Food forest designers
- Gardeners wanting low-maintenance fruit trees
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Cold climates below Zone 9
- Growers wanting instant fruit
- Extremely small spaces without pruning
🔍 Troubleshooting Guide
| ⚠️ Issue | 🧠 Cause | 🌿 Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Yellow leaves | 💦 Overwatering | Improve drainage, reduce watering |
| 🐛 Fruit damage | 🐜 Fruit flies | Harvest early, use traps |
| 🌱 Slow growth | ☁️ Low light | Increase sun exposure |
| ❄️ Cold damage | 🌬️ Frost exposure | Cover young plants |
❓ FAQ
Q: How long do seeds take to fruit?
A: Typically 2–4 years depending on conditions and care.
Q: Can I grow this in a pot long-term?
A: Yes — keep pruned and up-pot as needed.
Q: Does it taste like lemon or guava?
A: Both — a bright citrus tang layered over classic guava sweetness.
Q: Is it beginner-friendly?
A: Yes — very adaptable and forgiving once established.
🚚 Shipping & Handling
- Ships as seed pack (10+ seeds)
- Ideal for all US regions
- For live plants (if offered): best suited for FL, Southeast, TX
⚠️ We ship via UPS Ground every Monday
⚠️ Buyer assumes risk during extreme heat/cold
⚠️ Northern/western states may experience longer transit times
🏡 Local Pickup Available
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
🌾 18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
🕘 Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | 🌞 Sat 8AM–3PM
🌿 Visit us to explore larger plants and rare varieties!
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
We don’t just grow plants — we build ecosystems 🌎
- 🌳 Edible landscape design
- 🚜 Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk soil, compost, mulch delivery
- 🌾 Regenerative agriculture solutions
Let’s help you grow your own thriving food system 🌿
🌿 IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS
Please note: Plants purchased through our online store are not available for pickup at our retail nursery in Spring Hill, Florida.
Online inventory is housed at a separate facility and is priced, prepared, and handled exclusively for shipping.
🌱 Looking for larger plants or more selection?
Our retail nursery location offers far more availability, including larger sizes, specialty plants, and many selections not suitable for nationwide shipping.
Local pickup is available for retail nursery purchases only.
Visit our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery page to explore in-person shopping options.
🚚 LIVE PLANT SHIPPING & TRANSIT EXPECTATIONS
Live plants naturally experience stress during shipping. Temporary leaf drop, mild wilting, or cosmetic stress is normal after transit. Most plants recover quickly with proper watering, gradual light exposure, and basic aftercare. Some plants may require additional attention during the first few weeks.
Despite careful packing, minor cosmetic damage may occur during transit. Small issues such as broken leaves or stems typically resolve with time and proper care.
If your shipping box arrives with significant external damage, please contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a carrier claim.
⏱️ SHIPPING METHOD, TIMING & TRANSIT WINDOWS
All online orders ship via UPS Ground from our Central Florida nursery.
📦 Shipping Schedule: Orders ship once weekly on Mondays to reduce the risk of packages sitting in transit over weekends. A countdown clock on our website displays the next shipping date.
🚚 Typical Transit Times:
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Florida: 1–2 days
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Southern U.S.: approximately 2 days
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Midwest, West & Northern U.S.: 3–5 business days
Long-distance shipments, particularly to the western U.S., may experience additional transit time due to agricultural inspections in states such as Arizona, California, and Texas.
Extended transit times can be more challenging for small or tender plants and may require additional recovery care after arrival.
🌡️ EXTREME WEATHER & SEASONAL RISK
Live plants are sensitive to temperature extremes.
We cannot guarantee plant condition during periods of extreme summer heat or winter cold and freezing temperatures. Weather-related delays, carrier interruptions, or exposure during delivery are beyond our control.
Customers are responsible for:
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Monitoring tracking information sent via email
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Retrieving packages promptly upon delivery
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Preventing plants from being left outdoors in extreme conditions
During unsafe weather, holiday shipping volume, or extended transit risk, orders may be held and shipped the following week to protect plant health.
⚠️ CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY & REFUND POLICY
By purchasing live plants, customers acknowledge and accept the risks associated with shipping, weather exposure, transit delays, and regional suitability.
Refunds or replacements are considered only under exceptional circumstances and in accordance with our return and refund policy. We are not responsible for:
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Weather-related damage
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Carrier delays
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Poor plant selection for a given climate or region
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Improper care after delivery
Upon purchase, customers assume full responsibility for the ongoing care and success of their plants.
✅ CONSENT & AGREEMENT
By completing a purchase, you confirm that you have read, understand, and agree to all shipping policies, responsibilities, and conditions outlined above.
Our goal is transparency, plant health, and long-term growing success — and we appreciate your understanding and care when ordering live plants.

