Carica papaya ( Red Paw Paw ) is a fast-growing tropical evergreen that is native to Mexico and northern South America. Its grown for its delicious melon-like fruit that can be harvested year-round in tropical climates. Paw paw fruit is dried, made into jams, cooked in pies, added to smoothies, eaten as a vegetable and used in soups. As a bonus, every part of a Paw Paw tree can be used for a wide range of medicinal purposes.
Unfortunately, the plant itself is extremely fragile and cannot tolerate low temperatures, shade, or strong wind while the fruit itself can also cause the weak trunks of the tree to snap. Carica papaya is also regularly attacked by pests such as the Papaya Fruit Fly, Two-Spotted Spider Mite and the Papaya Whitefly.
Red Paw Paw plants are also short-lived, producing ample supply until their third season and then effectively die off. In the right conditions, the Carica papaya plant more than makes up for its obvious weaknesses. Fruit can be ready for harvest in as short as six months and can then provide continuously all year round.
Growth
Carica papaya is a small, single stem fruit tree that grows no larger than 10 metres (33 feet) tall. The trunk is soft, almost fleshy and can be easily broken in strong winds. Leaves of papaya plant can grow to around 70 cm (28 inches) in diameter and only grow on top of the tree’s main trunk. Carica papaya plants grow in three different sexual types, male, female and hermaphrodite. Males can fertilize up to six female plants. Females without nearby males will only grow small unusable fruits. Commercial growers use hermaphrodite plants as they can produce full sized fruits on their own. It is impossible to identify which sex a plant will become from the seed.
Red Paw Paw flowers are white, sweet-scented, and open at night, these are pollinated by wind and insects. Trees will produce fruit that reach sizes between 15 and 45 cm long. The fruit is ripe when it feels slightly soft, and its green skin has turned yellow or orange. This can take between 6-12 months depending on conditions.
Ideal temperatures for Paw Paw plants are 21-30°C (70-86°F) but can tolerate 12-44°C (53-111°F). The plant can die overnight in temperatures 5°C (40°F) or below. In Australia, the city of Coffs Harbour, NSW is the most southern area that could achieve success with Carica papaya. However, anywhere below Mackay, QLD will require an overwinter strategy such as mulching the base if the plants are going to survive.
It is possible to grow Paw Paw plants as an annual in colder climates, but gardeners should check their local area against the temperatures above before purchasing any seeds or plants.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Caricaceae
CLIMATE:
Sub-Tropical to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
12 to 44°C / 53 to 111°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist loamy, well draining.
LOCATION:
Full sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 6 metres (20 feet) above ground
WIDTH:
Up to 5 metres (15 feet)
pH:
5.5-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees, wind, moths.
MATURITY:
Average 50-60 days
GERMINATION RATES:
88%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-14 days at temperatures between 18-23°C / 64-75°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy, if the right conditions are provided.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 240
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT CARICA PAPAYA (Red Paw Paw)
The papaya fruit fly is the most common pest and will lay up to 100 eggs inside the fruit where the larvae will the feed upon.
The black seeds of the papaya are edible and have a sharp, spicy taste.
Some cultures have smoked the papaya leaves as a treatment for malaria and to relieve asthma.
