- 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.
4.5" Pot
Also Know As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Know As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Know As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Know As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Know As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Know As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
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
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.
