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Pawpaw

About Pawpaw

Asimina triloba is a small, native, deciduous tree that can grow 20 to 30 feet tall. The pawpaw is noted for its plump 1 pound fruit with a sweet flesh and few seeds. The leaves are alternate, produce a pungent odor when crushed, and display a bright yellow fall color. The bark is smooth with wart-like lenticels. The tree produces a 2.5- to 6 inch fruit that matures in late summer to early fall.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Asimina triloba

Genus

Asimina

Family

Annonaceae

Order

Magnoliales

Also known as

Papaw, Paw paw and Paw-paw

How to care for Pawpaw

💦 Water

How often to water your Pawpaw

Pawpaw needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Pawpaw in your home

Pawpaw love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Pawpaw does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Pawpaw in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Pawpaw

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Pawpaw: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Pawpaw after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Hello! My pawpaw has developed small brown spots that have grown bigger in the bottom leaves. It has lost one leaf already. What could it be and how can I remedy it? #Pawpaw

Browse #Pawpaw

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Pawpaw is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Pawpaw →

Benefits of Growing Pawpaw →

Common Pawpaw Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Pawpaw →

💦 Water Needs

Pawpaw prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Pawpaw Water Frequency →

Pawpaw Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Pawpaw requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Pawpaw Light Requirements →

Pawpaw Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Pawpaw is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Pawpaw is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

🪴 Soil

Pawpaw does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Pawpaw →

Best Pots for Pawpaw →

When and How to Successfully Repot Pawpaw →

What Are Healthy Pawpaw Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Pawpaw grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Pawpaw →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Pawpaw grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Pawpaw Lifecycle →

Pawpaw Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Pawpaw →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Pawpaw can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-9a. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Pawpaw Temperature Tolerance →

Pawpaw Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Pawpaw →

When to Plant Pawpaw →

How to Plant Pawpaw →

Where to Plant Pawpaw →

Winter Care for Pawpaw →

Best Companion Plants for Pawpaw →

Is Pawpaw a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Pawpaw can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Pawpaw →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Pawpaw, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.