Carica papaya (F)
pawpaw
A tree-like, evergreen,herbaceous plant that can reach 6m in tropical conditions. The single, upright stem is topped with a palm-like spread of large, long stemmed, deeply divided leaves. Cream, scented flowers, which may be male, female or hermaphrodite, develop at any time of year directly from the trunk, followed by large, edible, melon-like fruits initially green, ripening to yellow or orange
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream | Green | Green Orange Yellow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream | Green | Green Orange Yellow | |
| Autumn | Cream | Green | Green Orange Yellow | |
| Winter | Cream | Green | Green Orange Yellow |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Caricaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S America
How to grow
Cultivation
Plants require deep, humus-rich soil and sub-tropical conditions to fruit. Can also be grown as bedding or container plants for foliage effect in summer, with well-drained soil, full sun and a sheltered position
Propagation
Propagate by seed - plants can fruit within a year in suitable conditions and need replacing every few years
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse thrips and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
Susceptible to root rots
Get involved
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