- Full Shade to Full Sun (Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions)
- Mature Height 20 - 25 Feet
- Mature Spread 20 - 25 Feet
- Growing Zones 5 - 8
Looking for a unique fruit with a tropical taste? Asimina triloba, the pawpaw tree, is the perfect plant for you! This tree produces the largest edible fruit native to North America, and is the only member of the tropical custard-apple family native to a temperate region. Big, oblong fruit is produced in late summer through fall upon attractive, conical-shaped trees. This Eastern North American native boasts dark maroon flowers in spring that are pollinated by flies. Large green leaves turn to an electric golden yellow come fall. This is truly a multi-purpose tree with beauty and flavor to offer throughout the year!
Growing at 20-25 feet tall, the pawpaw tree is well-suited to a variety of landscape purposes. It makes a fine structural focus point in borders, and can be used as an understory tree in woodland gardens. This tree provides valuable wildlife support, as it is the host plant for zebra swallowtail butterflies and a favorite for birds to nest in. The delicious fruit is produced after several years, often falling to the ground when ripe. Green fruit will turn yellow-brown, soften, and bruise easily once it has reached optimal ripeness. The flavor is comparable to sweet bananas and mangoes, with a delectable custard texture. It is a great source of antioxidants, and can be enjoyed raw or as a replacement for bananas in any baking recipe.
Pawpaw Tree Care
Plant Pawpaw in a sheltered location, as it is prone to breakage from high winds. Pawpaws produce best in full sun, but partial shade will still result in good growth and a fruit crop. Planting under more shade will result in a more shrub-like habit. Pawpaws prefer well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH. Slow-release fertilizer can be applied every spring. Water weekly to aid in fruit development, or more if rainfall is infrequent. Prolonged dryness may result in premature fruit drop.
Pruning pawpaw trees helps to increase fruit yields. Prune in late winter or early spring, before bud break. Remove all dead or damaged branches, and maintain a distance of about 12 inches between all branches. For a more upright, standard form, prune out the lower branches.
Pawpaw Tree Spacing
More than one pawpaw plant is required for fruit production. Pawpaw trees should be planted with other pawpaw trees, with about 15-30 feet of spacing for adequate cross-pollination and fruiting.
Pawpaw Tree Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8 |
Plant Type: Trees |
Light Exposure: Full Shade to Full Sun (Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions) |
Mature Height: 20 - 25 Feet |
Mature Spread: 20 - 25 Feet |
Spacing: 15 - 30 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Purple |
Flower Description: Deep Brownish-Purple |
Bloom Period: April To May |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: N/A |
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies |
Container Role: |
Uses: Edging, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
Brand: American Beauties Native Plants |
Common Name: Pawpaw Tree |
Other Name(s): Pawpaw |
Scientific Name: Asimina triloba (Paw Paw) |
- SKU:
- 1231004511-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
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Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations