Common Pawpaw

The Common Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a native North American treasure, often called the “custard apple of the forest.” This small, understory tree produces the largest edible fruit of any native U.S. species, with a creamy, tropical flavor that’s a mix of banana, mango, and vanilla. Blooming in spring with striking, maroon flowers, it yields fruit in late summer to fall, making it a standout for homesteaders and food enthusiasts alike. Its lush, drooping leaves add a tropical flair to temperate landscapes.

• Flavor Profile: Sweet and custardy, with a rich, tropical taste—perfect fresh, in smoothies, or baked into desserts.
• Plant Characteristics: Grows 15–25 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide, with large, oblong leaves that turn golden-yellow in fall. Fruits weigh 3–16 ounces each, green when unripe, ripening to a mottled brown.
• Growth Habit: Forms a pyramidal shape when young, spreading with age; often suckers to create small groves if unpruned.

Growing Information

Common Pawpaw is a low-maintenance tree that thrives in rich, moist environments, bringing a taste of the tropics to cooler climates:

• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5–8, handling cold winters and warm summers with ease.
• Light Requirements: Prefers partial shade, especially when young; tolerates full sun once established, though fruiting is best with some protection.
• Soil Preferences: Loves fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 5.5–7.0); excels in loamy or river-bottom conditions.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during the first few years; moderately drought-tolerant once mature.
• Pruning: Light pruning in late winter removes dead branches or controls suckering; minimal shaping enhances fruit production.

Pawpaws have few pest issues—deer and rabbits rarely bother them—but watch for overwatering or poor drainage. Their deep taproots make them stable but tricky to transplant, so plant with care. The fruit attracts wildlife like raccoons, so harvest promptly!

Pollination & Sourcing

• Pollination: Not fully self-fertile; for best fruit set, plant at least two genetically distinct trees or add a second variety (e.g., Sunflower or Shenandoah). Pollinated by flies and beetles, not bees—hand-pollination boosts yields.
• Sourcing: Our Common Pawpaw trees are propagated from select Midwestern growers, ensuring hardy, non-GMO stock with proven fruiting potential.

Why Choose Pawpaws?

• Unique Fruit: A rare, native delicacy unavailable in stores, offering a sustainable food source.
• Ecological Benefits: Supports native pollinators and provides shade in woodland gardens; suckers help stabilize soil.
• Landscape Appeal: Lush foliage and exotic fruit make it a conversation starter in any setting.

Ideal for permaculture designs, edible forests, or backyard orchards, Common Pawpaw pairs beautifully with companions like blackberry or hazelnut. Its short shelf life (a few days ripe) means you’ll savor it fresh from the tree—nature’s reward for growing your own.

Shipping: Available for pre-order; ships bare-root starting in February 2025 for optimal planting. Grown and shipped within the USA only.