To grow pawpaw trees, plant at least two genetically different trees in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in USDA zones 5 through 8, give young trees light shade for their first one to two summers, and keep the soil evenly moist. Bare-root pawpaw trees usually bear their first fruit 4 to 7 years after planting.
We grow about 2 million pawpaw trees a year at TN Nursery in Altamont, Tennessee, from roughly 2 tons of seed, so this guide comes straight from our fields. It covers where to plant, how to plant a bare-root pawpaw, how to care for it and how to get the biggest fruit crop.
What Is a Pawpaw Tree?
The pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) is a small, native, deciduous fruit tree of the eastern United States that bears the largest edible fruit native to North America. A mature pawpaw grows 15 to 30 feet tall with a 15- to 20-foot spread and a pyramid-shaped to rounded crown.
- Leaves: large and tropical-looking, 6 to 12 inches long, turning golden yellow in fall
- Flowers: deep maroon, bell-shaped, 1 to 2 inches across, opening in April and May before the leaves
- Fruit: 3- to 6-inch green fruit with custard-like flesh, ripening August to October
- Wildlife: the host tree for the zebra swallowtail butterfly
Curious about the harvest itself? Read our guide to pawpaw fruit, including how it tastes and how to eat it.
Where Do Pawpaw Trees Grow Best?
Pawpaw trees grow best in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8, in deep, fertile, moist soil that drains well and is slightly acidic. They thrive in the warm, humid summers of the eastern and midwestern states, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf.
In the wild, young pawpaws grow in the understory beneath taller hardwoods along creeks and river bottoms. That tells you exactly what a young tree enjoys: steady moisture, rich soil and a little shade. Once established, pawpaws bear the most fruit in full sun.
- Best spots: woodland edges, low slopes, the east side of a house or a sheltered corner of the yard
- Light: partial shade while young, full sun to partial shade once established
- Soil: loamy, rich in organic matter, pH about 5.5 to 7.0
Do You Need Two Pawpaw Trees to Get Fruit?
Yes. Pawpaw trees need cross-pollination from a second, genetically different pawpaw tree to set fruit, so plant at least two trees within 30 feet of each other. Pawpaw flowers are pollinated by flies and beetles, and a group of three or more trees raises pollination and fruit set.
That is why our pawpaw trees for sale ship Buy 1 Get 1 Free: every order arrives with its own pollination partner. For a backyard grove, the Buy 3 Get 2 Free pack ships five trees.
When Is the Best Time to Plant Pawpaw Trees?
Plant bare-root pawpaw trees while they are dormant, from November through April. Dormant planting lets the roots settle into cool soil before spring growth, so the tree starts the season strong. We dig our pawpaw trees fresh in the fall and spring and ship them right away.
How Do You Plant a Bare-Root Pawpaw Tree?
Plant a bare-root pawpaw tree in a hole twice as wide as the roots and just as deep, with the root collar level with the soil surface. Space pawpaw trees 8 to 15 feet apart.
- Soak the roots in a bucket of water for 2 to 4 hours before planting.
- Dig the hole twice as wide as the root spread and as deep as the roots, keeping the long taproot straight.
- Set the tree so the root collar sits level with the soil, at the same depth it grew in our fields.
- Backfill with the native soil you removed and firm it gently with your hands.
- Water deeply to settle the soil around the roots.
- Mulch with 2 to 3 inches of shredded bark or leaves, keeping it 3 inches from the trunk.
- Add light shade on the south and west side for the first summer, using shade cloth or a board on a stake.
For more detail, see our planting instructions and soil preparation guide for pawpaw trees.
How Do You Care for a Pawpaw Tree?
Pawpaw tree care is simple: keep the soil evenly moist, refresh the mulch each spring and prune lightly in late winter. Pawpaws are naturally hardy native trees and rarely need spraying.
- Watering: water deeply once a week through the first growing season whenever rain falls short.
- Mulching: keep a 2- to 3-inch layer over the root zone to hold moisture and keep roots cool.
- Feeding: a layer of compost each spring gives pawpaws the rich soil they love.
- Pruning: remove dead or crossing branches in late winter to shape the tree.
- Sun: once trees are 2 to 3 years old, more sun brings more flowers and fruit.
How Fast Do Pawpaw Trees Grow?
Pawpaw trees grow at a moderate rate of about 1 to 2 feet per year once established. The first year is spent building roots, and growth picks up from the second year on.
| Stage | Typical height | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Planting (bare root) | 1–5 feet | Roots settle in; leaves open in late spring |
| Years 2–3 | 4–8 feet | Strong new growth each season |
| Years 4–7 | 8–12 feet | First maroon flowers and first fruit |
| Mature tree | 15–30 feet | Full crops of fruit each August–October |
How Long Until a Pawpaw Tree Bears Fruit?
Bare-root pawpaw nursery trees usually bear fruit 4 to 7 years after planting, and taller trees reach fruiting age sooner. Small seedlings usually take 5 to 8 years. Planting larger trees, giving established trees more sun and planting two or more trees together all bring the first harvest sooner.
Seedlings or Trees: Which Pawpaw Should You Plant?
Choose 1- to 5-foot pawpaw trees for a backyard planting and a head start on fruit. Choose pawpaw seedlings in packs of 100 or 500 for groves, orchards, wildlife plantings and restoration projects, where the lowest price per tree matters most.
What Grows Well With Pawpaw Trees?
Native fruit trees make great neighbors for pawpaw in an edible landscape. An American persimmon tree ripens right after the pawpaw harvest, and an elderberry brings summer berries to the sunny edge. Browse our native trees and fruit trees for more ideas.
Pawpaw Growing FAQ
How big do pawpaw trees get?
Pawpaw trees grow 15 to 30 feet tall with a 15- to 20-foot spread, a good size for most home yards.
Can pawpaw trees grow in shade?
Yes. Pawpaw trees grow well in partial shade, and young trees benefit from it. Established trees bear the largest crops in full sun.
How far apart should you plant pawpaw trees?
Space pawpaw trees 8 to 15 feet apart in a yard, and keep at least two trees within 30 feet of each other for pollination.
Do deer eat pawpaw trees?
Deer rarely browse pawpaw leaves and twigs, which makes pawpaw a dependable, deer-resistant choice for wildlife areas and food forests.
What zone do pawpaw trees grow in?
Pawpaw trees grow in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8.
Grown in Tennessee Since 1959
TN Nursery began in 1959, when Roscoe Tate started growing native plants in Altamont, Tennessee. Three generations later, we grow pawpaw across our 170 acres, and we have supplied plants to landmarks like the Washington Monument and Arlington National Cemetery. When you buy pawpaw trees from us, they come straight from our own fields, dug dormant and shipped bare root, ready to grow.