American Pawpaw - Asimina triloba (5 seeds)

American Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

American Pawpaw is the largest edible fruit native to North America, producing large, custard-like yellow-green fruit with a remarkable tropical flavour combining banana, mango, and creamy vanilla custard. Native to the forests of eastern North America, it is a deciduous tree growing to 6 m with large, bold tropical-looking leaves and deep purple-maroon flowers in spring. Despite its exotic flavour and appearance, it is cold hardy and well suited to temperate climates, making it one of the most exciting and unusual fruit trees available for the home garden.

Pawpaw flowers contain both male and female parts but are self-incompatible — the female parts mature before the male pollen is released on the same flower, making cross-pollination between two genetically different trees essential for reliable fruit set. Any two trees from different origins will pollinate each other; no specific male or female tree is required.

Trees grown from seed take 3–8 years to reach fruiting age and benefit from partial shade when young, transitioning to full sun as they mature. Note: seeds and skin are toxic; only the flesh is edible.

Growing Instructions

Carefully cold stratify in moist medium for 70–100 days at 2–4°C. Sow 2.5 cm deep in tall containers and keep moist and warm. Do not allow seeds to dry out at any stage. Gibberellic acid can assist with breaking dormancy.

🌿 Optional: Use Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) for Seed Germination

Pawpaw seeds have a deep dormancy and can germinate slowly even after stratification. A 500 ppm GA₃ soak for 24–48 hours after stratification can help stimulate germination and improve success rates — especially with stubborn seed lots.

Click here to purchase Gibberellic Acid (GA₃)

⚠️ Recommended for experienced growers — germination can be slow and unpredictable, sometimes taking many months after stratification.

See our growing guide for Germinating Difficult Seeds

Planting Season: Spring
Spacing: 3–5 m apart; plant two or more for cross-pollination
Height: 4–6 m; deciduous spreading tree
Germination: 2–12 weeks after stratification at 25–30°C; do not allow seeds to dry out
Harvest: 3–8 years from seed; fruit ripens late summer to autumn when skin yellows and flesh gives slightly
Flavour: Banana, mango, and creamy vanilla custard; rich and tropical

5 Seeds