Growing your own pawpaw is a tropical treat that’s easier than you might think and the kids will love them too! With a little preparation and some simple care, you can enjoy juicy, home-grown pawpaws from your own backyard for many years to come. Here are our top 10 tips to get you started!
- Choose the Right Climate
Pawpaw thrives in the tropics and subtropics, so it’s a good pick if you live in Queensland, Northern NSW, and warmer coastal areas in Australia. In cooler zones, try planting it near a north-facing wall to give it a bit of cozy warmth through winter, or grow babaco, a close relative of pawpaw that handles the chill a bit better. - Start from Seed or Seedlings
Growing pawpaw from seed is a breeze! Just grab a tasty, locally grown fruit, scoop out the seeds, and let them dry in a cool, airy spot. Once they’re ready, plant them about 1cm deep in pots or directly in the garden. Self-sown seedlings can be male, female or bisexual meaning they have both male and female flowers (see tip 7 for more). For a quicker start, pick up a young pawpaw plant from the garden centre – these are usually the handy self-pollinating bisexual types. - Pick the Perfect Spot
Pawpaw loves well-drained soil and plenty of sun. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot that’s out of the wind, and keep in mind, they’ll need a little extra warmth in winter, especially in subtropical and cooler regions. A cozy protected spot can make all the difference. - Prepare the Soil Well
Give the soil a boost by adding plenty of compost to an area about 1m wide. Shape the soil into a low, flat-topped mound to improve drainage and help catch moisture when you’re watering. - Plant Carefully
Pawpaw plants dislike root disturbance, so be gentle when planting potted plants. If you are planting your self-sown seedlings, try putting 3-4 plants in each hole to boost your chances of getting both male and female plants for pollination (see tip 7 for more). If you have a bisexual plant, you’ll only need one to produce fruit. - Water, Mulch, and Fertilise Regularly
Keep your young pawpaw plants well-watered, especially during dry spells. Add a thick layer of organic sugarcane mulch around the base to help keep the moisture in. Feed them with organic fertiliser every couple months to encourage strong growth and healthy fruit production. - Identify Male, Female, and Bisexual Plants
After about 12 months, you’ll start to see the first flowers. Female flowers, which are the ones that turn into fruit have a swollen base and are close to the trunk. Male flowers grow on long stalks. You only need one male plant in a group for pollination, so remove extra males to make room for female plants. On bisexual plants, both male and female flowers are close to the trunk. - Know When to Harvest
Depending on the climate and conditions, you’ll be ready to harvest your first pawpaw in about 12-18 months. Pick the fruit as soon as you spot the first hint of colour, then let them ripen indoors. Harvesting early reduces the risk of pest and disease damage. - Control Common Diseases
Pawpaw can sometimes be affected by a fungal disease that causes large dark spots on the ripening fruit. To tackle this, give the fruit a 10-minute soak in 50°C water right after picking – it kills the fungus. Be sure to pick and treat the fruit as soon as you notice any colour to stop the fungus from spreading. - Prune for Reachable Harvests
To keep your pawpaw fruit within easy reach, trim back tall trunks once they get too hard to manage. Cut and dismantle the trunk in stages, with the final cut around 60 cm above the ground. Pop a tin or plastic container over the hollow stem to keep rain out until it heals. New shoots will sprout below the cut, and soon you’ll have fruit at a nice, manageable height.
