Pawpaw Asimina triloba
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Annonaceae family, native to Eastern United States. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -29 °C (-20 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Pawpaw in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Pawpaw at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Annonaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -29 °C (-20 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit pulp |
| Native to | Eastern United States |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Pawpaw toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: seeds, bark, leaves, skin
Seeds, bark and leaves contain annonaceous acetogenins; skin contact or raw fruit can cause rash or stomach upset in sensitive people.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pawpaw
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Pawpaw
- How far apart should I plant Pawpaw?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Pawpaw need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pawpaw need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Pawpaw?
- It tolerates about -29 °C (-20 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Pawpaw flower?
- From about April for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Pawpaw poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Seeds, bark and leaves contain annonaceous acetogenins; skin contact or raw fruit can cause rash or stomach upset in sensitive people.
- What grows well with Pawpaw?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pawpaw. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
Notes and assumptions
- Needs two genetically different trees; flowers are pollinated mainly by flies and beetles so yields are often hand-pollinated; seedlings want shade in the first years; chill roughly 400 hours (estimate).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Cherimoya Annona cherimola
- Ylang-ylang Cananga odorata
- Soursop (guanábana) Annona muricata
- Sugar apple (sweetsop) Annona squamosa
- Custard apple (bullock’s heart) Annona reticulata
- Climbing ylang-ylang (karawek) Artabotrys hexapetalus
- Grains of Selim (Ethiopian pepper, uda) Xylopia aethiopica
- Wild custard apple (African custard apple) Annona senegalensis