Wild papaya

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Vasconcellea cauliflora

Genus

Vasconcellea

Family

Caricaceae

Order

Brassicales

How to care for Wild papaya

💦 Water

How often to water your Wild papaya

Wild papaya 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 Wild papaya in your home

Wild papaya may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Wild papaya

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Wild papaya: 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 Wild papaya after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

there’s a few papaya growing wild in my apt complex and i literally take the long way thru the buildings so i pass ALL of them on my way home from the bus stop. i’ve tried to take a cutting from one and it didn’t pan out so i decided i’d wait until i found a liiiiitle seedling and just uproot THAT and steal it away to my apartment to grow as my own. but maybe i can harvest some seeds! these two (i say two but it’s really like three in one spot and one little guy in another) papayas have started flowering! hopefully they’ll give viable fruits; in any case you KNOW i’ll keep greg updated. first four photos are the cluster of plants, it has opened flowers and buds! i’ve also included my hand for reference on how THICK this trunk is and last photo is the little guy. he has some green buds so he’s getting there. bonus pic in the comments of a rando gourd i check on (on the same walking route) that is also flowering thanks if you stuck around this long lol sorry it was a little long-winded but #ivebeensmokingplantstoo so not too sorry 😂😂 #HappyPlants #Papaya #WildPapaya #FloweringPlants

Browse #WildPapaya

💡 FAQs

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Wild papaya may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Wild papaya can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🧐 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.