Asimina triloba
Pawpaw
Common names: Common pawpaw
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to −25 °C
- Pruning
- Feb–Mar
- Harvest
- Sep–Oct
- Spacing
- 400 cm, rows 500 cm
- Water need
- Medium
Photo: Scott Bauer, USDA · Public Domain · Source
Description
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a small, winter-hardy tree native to eastern North America that produces creamy, tropical‑flavored fruit in autumn, reminiscent of a blend of banana and mango. The tree typically reaches 3 to 6 m in height, making it suitable for home gardens and sheltered garden corners. Because the flowers are not self‑pollinating, two different cultivars (e.g., "Prima 1129" or "Sunflower") are required for good fruit set. A warm, wind‑protected location with ample summer heat encourages the fruit to ripen fully by fall. Seeds and skins contain bitter compounds that may cause discomfort in sensitive individuals; consume only the ripe flesh and keep children away from the kernels.
Care instructions
Plant the pawpaw in a warm, sheltered spot on humus‑rich, slightly acidic to neutral soil that retains moisture but is not water‑logged. In the first two to three years, provide light shade to protect the young tree from harsh midday sun; after that, it tolerates full sun well. Water regularly, especially during dry summer weeks, and keep the root zone evenly moist with a mulch layer. Because bees are poor pollinators, hand‑pollinate between two cultivars from mid‑April to early May (approximately weeks 16 to 18) using a soft brush. Prune sparingly and gently, preferably in late winter before bud break, to preserve the tree’s loose, natural crown.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
SowingMar–Apr
HarvestSep–Oct
Germination
- Soil temperature
- from 5 °C, ideally 12 °C
- Days to sprout
- 90 to 180 days
- Light
- Sprouts in light or dark
- Sowing depth
- 2 cm
- How to start
- Start indoors, then plant out
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, sandy, humus-rich, nutrient-rich
The pawpaw likes deep, free-draining soil with a good supply of humus, as it tolerates waterlogging poorly. A slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7.0 suits it best. In the first few years it will thank you for evenly moist, but never wet, soil with a layer of mulch on top.
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Mar, May
In early spring, work ripe compost or well-rotted manure shallowly into the root area; that is usually enough for the pawpaw for the whole season. A second, light application of compost in May supports young trees as they grow. Avoid mineral fertilisers; organic material suits its natural habitat at the woodland edge better.
Pruning
In the first few years, it is best to train a stable framework of main branches so that the tree can bear well later. In late winter, before new growth starts, cut out crossing or overcrowded shoots. Older trees hardly need any pruning, but occasional thinning keeps the crown light and airy.
Overwintering
Fully grown pawpaws are hardy and cope well with frosts down to about minus 25 °C. Young trees in their first two to three years in position welcome a layer of mulch of leaves or straw around the root area. A sheltered spot without cold east wind helps especially while the tree is establishing.
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Grafting
The most reliable way to raise a pawpaw is from seed, although the seeds need a cold period of 8 to 12 weeks in the fridge before they germinate. As seedlings vary greatly in variety, experienced gardeners graft specially selected varieties onto seedling rootstocks. Young plants are at first sensitive to direct sun and grow best in light shade before you gradually acclimatise them to the final position in full sun.
For your garden
Grow Pawpaw yourself
Gartenkern tells you when frost is coming, when to sow and when to harvest, for your location.
Free, no time limit
Varieties
3 varieties‘Prima 1216’
The pawpaw Prima 1216 is a self fertile variety of the species Asimina triloba, selected in Italy.
‘Sunflower’
The pawpaw Asimina triloba is a hardy, small tree from eastern North America with large, creamy sweet fruits.
‘Wells’
Wells is a variety of the pawpaw, a small tree native to North America that is increasingly grown in sheltered locations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety, anonymous and voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?