What soil does Pawpaw grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, acidic.

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Pawpaw toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

How far from the house should Pawpaw be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Pawpaw flower?

Flowering: April–May, purple, red.

How much water does Pawpaw need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Pawpaw cost?

It sells for roughly €42 to €92 in local shops, depending on size.

Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a fruit plant. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Mildly toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €42.

Illustration of Pawpaw — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A fully hardy fruit tree with an exotic look: the large, drooping leaves turn golden yellow in autumn and the custardy fruit, which tastes of banana and mango, ripens in September and October. Most cultivars will not set fruit on their own, so plant a second cultivar alongside; 'Sunflower' and 'Prima 1216' are partly self-fertile, but they too crop far better with a partner, and where the flies and beetles that pollinate the flowers are scarce you can help with a small brush. It is slow to get going and its taproot resents transplanting, so plant a container-grown tree straight into its final place in deep, humus-rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil, shade it for the first few years and water it in dry spells. Do not eat the skin or the seeds of the fruit.

Watch out for

Pests and diseases hardly trouble it; the difficulties are slow establishment and fruit set. The leaves of young plants scorch in full sun, so they need shading for the first few years; in hot, dry summers it struggles without regular watering, and it dies in heavy, waterlogged soil. It grows poorly on strongly alkaline soil. Because the roots are fleshy and brittle, bare-root trees and trees moved when older are hard to establish. A single tree, or two trees of the same cultivar, usually bears very little, since the flowers do not accept their own pollen and the pollinating insects are often missing in Central Europe. In time it can send up root suckers; remove them unless you want a thicket.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 3 m × 2 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, purple, red

Group	Fruit
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	3 m × 2 m
Ultimate size	3–9 m × 2.5–4.5 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, purple, red
Harvest	September–October
Self-fertile	no
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	300 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	from about €42

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
40-60 cm	approx. €46
50-60 cm	approx. €92
60-80 cm	approx. €55
size not stated	approx. €42

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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