Pawpaw Planting Guide
Growing pawpaw in May
Some notes on pawpaw care that hold up no matter where you garden — then check your zone for specifics.
-
How to water pawpaw
Consistent moisture matters more than volume for pawpaw. Little and often beats occasional drenching.
-
Where to put pawpaw
pawpaw wants at least 6 hours of direct sun. Less than that and you'll get leggy plants with weak yields.
-
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant pawpaw. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
Pawpaw is the largest native fruit tree in North America, producing tropical-tasting custard-like fruits. Young trees prefer shade but fruiting trees need good light.
Asimina triloba · Fruit · Annonaceae family · 1095–2555 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Pawpaw Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Pawpaw?
Pawpaw Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Pawpaw planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 16 | — |
| Zone 5b | — | — | May 9 | — |
| Zone 6a | — | — | May 1 | — |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 24 | — |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 15 | — |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Apr 8 | — |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 29 | — |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 18 | — |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 24 | — |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 8 | — |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Pawpaw is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Pawpaw benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Pawpaw
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
5.5 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 5a – 9b
📅 Days to Maturity
1095–2555 days
Long-season crop. Start indoors in cold climates to get a head start.
👪 Plant Family
Annonaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Annonaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Pawpaw to Grow
Pawpaw takes 1095–2555 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Pawpaw
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Pawpaw
Plant at least two genetically distinct trees for cross-pollination. Provide shade for young trees. Fruits ripen in fall and have a very short shelf life. Harvest when slightly soft.
Saving Pawpaw Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts on fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody herbs.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Pawpaw by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Pawpaw?
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) takes 1095 to 2555 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Pawpaw grow in?
Pawpaw can be grown in USDA zones 5a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Pawpaw need?
Growing Pawpaw requires Partial Shade (3-6 hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 5.5 to 7.