Beautiful Beginnings Fruit Tree Nursery

Pawpaws

Explore our collection of pawpaw trees, featuring a diverse selection of unique and exceptional cultivars for the home orchard and garden. From familiar favorites to hard-to-find varieties, our collection offers pawpaw enthusiasts an opportunity to grow this distinctive native American fruit at home.

Tropical

Combining the essence of a tropical paradise with the resilience of its temperate origins, the pawpaw bridges the gap between two worlds and invites you to indulge in a rich,  tropical experience from the comfort of your own backyard.

Custardy

Delight in the pawpaw’s luscious, custardy texture as you savor each bite of its sweet, aromatic pulp. Whether blended into smoothies, transformed into creamy desserts, baked into breads, or enjoyed fresh off the tree, the pawpaw offers a unique, one-of-a-kind fruit experience. 

Alluring

Embrace the allure of the pawpaw as it allows you to escape the ordinary through its fleeting season, evasive nature, and exotic flavor, offering a taste journey that transcends boundaries and exceeds expectations. 

Historic

An invaluable guide and interpreter for Lewis and Clark during their expedition from 1804 to 1806, Sacagawea played a crucial role in helping the crew survive in unfamiliar environments. She taught them about the importance of the pawpaw, which the crew, at one point, relied heavily on for sustenance.

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Shop All Pawpaw Varieties

Browse our selection of pawpaw varieties, including both well-known favorites and distinctive cultivars selected for flavor, fruit quality, productivity and performance. Each variety has its own characteristics, giving home orchard growers plenty of options to find the pawpaw best suited to their garden and growing goals.

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FAQ

What does a pawpaw taste like?

Pawpaw fruit has a creamy, custard-like texture and a complex tropical flavor. People commonly describe the flavor as a combination of banana, mango, pineapple, melon, or other tropical fruits. Flavor can vary considerably among cultivars, which is part of what makes growing different named varieties so interesting.

How can I tell when a pawpaw is ripe?

A ripe pawpaw becomes noticeably soft when gently pressed, much like a ripe peach or avocado. Ripe fruit also develops a strong, sweet fragrance. Skin color alone isn’t always a reliable indicator of ripeness, so softness and aroma are better guides.

Do I need two pawpaw trees to get fruit?

Yes, planting two genetically different pawpaw trees is recommended for reliable fruit production. Pawpaws are generally self-incompatible, meaning a tree normally needs pollen from a genetically different tree for fruit set. Two different named cultivars or two genetically different seedling trees can provide compatible pollen.

Will pawpaws grow in my area?

Pawpaws are native to much of the eastern United States and are generally suited to USDA Zones 5–8, although conditions within those zones can vary. They prefer deep, fertile, well-drained soil with adequate moisture. When choosing a planting site, consider drainage, sunlight, and local winter and spring conditions.

How long does it take a pawpaw tree to produce fruit?

The time to fruit depends on whether the tree is grafted or grown from seed, as well as the cultivar and growing conditions. Grafted pawpaw trees can begin producing fruit considerably sooner than seedlings; Penn State Extension notes that grafted trees may fruit in two to three years, while seedlings can take much longer. Good site preparation and consistent care help young trees become established.

Growing Tips for Success

Choose the Right Location

Pawpaws are not self-fertile, so planting two or more genetically different trees is important for reliable fruit production. Choosing different cultivars helps provide the cross-pollination pawpaws need for fruit set. Pawpaw flowers are primarily pollinated by flies and beetles rather than honeybees. Plant trees with enough space for their mature size while keeping compatible cultivars reasonably close together to encourage pollination. 8-10 foot spacing is recommended.

Pollination and Planting

Pawpaw trees are not self-pollinating and require cross-pollination between different varieties for optimal fruit production. Planting a minimum of three different varieties ensures successful pollination and also provides continued pollination should something happen to one of the trees.   Pawpaws are pollinated by flies and other beetle-type insects and receive the best pollination when planted 8-10 feet apart from one another.

 

Provide Adequate Water and Mulch

Pawpaw trees need consistent moisture while they become established, especially during hot or dry weather. Water deeply when the soil begins to dry rather than relying on frequent, shallow watering. A layer of organic mulch can help conserve moisture, suppress competing weeds, and moderate soil temperatures. Keep mulch away from direct contact with the trunk, and avoid keeping the soil continually waterlogged.

Pawpaws Grow Great Here!

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