Care Guide | Papayas
Papaya is a plant that looks like a tree, grows like a weed, and produces fruit with unmatched speed. A single plant can hold dozens of melon-sized fruits at once, stacked up the pin-straight trunk. Get your tastebuds ready because papaya plants can produce 75 pounds of fruit; that's 2 to 4 fruits per week! You can grow indoors or on your patio with a dwarf variety like T.R. Hovey. If the variety you choose is not a dwarf, grab a ladder and climb up to indulge in the sweet, musky, melon-like fruit. And if you're adventurous, add a squeeze of lime and a pinch of chili.
Characteristics
Papaya plants are fast-growing, short-lived tropical perennials that thrive in USDA zones 9–11. They prefer warm temperatures, full sun, and rich, well-drained soil. Papayas grow as soft-stemmed trees with a single trunk and large, deeply lobed leaves clustered at the top. Most varieties reach 8–15 feet tall and begin producing fruit within 1–3 years. Dwarf varieties grow to a nice, manageable 4-6 feet tall. Papayas are heavy producers and need frequent fertilization for best results.
Papayas grown from seed can be either male, female, or hermaphroditic. Males do not produce fruit. Female plants need a male to produce. The more desirable hermaphroditic plants have both male and female flowers and don't require a second plant to produce fruit. All of the papayas we offer are self-fertile hermaphrodites. Plant multiples to encourage a better fruit yield.
Popular Varieties
| Variety | Origin | USDA Zone | Height | Pollinator Needed? |
| Babaco | Ecuador | 9-10 | 4-8 feet | Self-fertile Parthenocarpic |
| Broadleaf | Central America | 9-11 | 4-8 feet | Typically female or hermaphrodite (pollinator recommended) |
| Red Lady | Taiwan | 9-11 | 8-10 feet | Self-fertile Hermaphrodite |
| Sunrise Solo | Hawaii | 10-11 | 8-10 feet | Self-fertile Hermaphrodite |
| Tainung | Taiwan | 9b-11 | 8-12 feet | Self-fertile Hermaphrodite |
| TR Hovey (Dwarf) | US (Florida) | 9-11 | 4-6 feet | Self-fertile Hermaphrodite |
Overview
- 🏷️ Scientific Name: Carica papaya
- 📊 Classification: Tropical perennial plant
- 📍 Origin: Central America & Southern Mexico
- 🗺️ USDA Hardiness Zones: 9–11
- 📏 Height Potential: 10–20 feet
- 🏡 Planting: Outdoors or indoors
- ☀️ Light: Full sun
- 💧 Soil/Watering: Well-drained, consistently moist
- 🍴 Fertilizer: 20-20-20
- ✂️ Pruning: Minimal
- ❄️ Cold Weather Care: Must be protected from frost and freezing
- 🍎 Fruiting and Harvesting: 1-2 years after planting
- 🕷️ Common Pests: Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies
- 🐈 Toxic to Pets? No
Scientific Name
Papaya plants belong to the Caricaceae family and are classified under the Carica genus. The most commonly cultivated species is Carica papaya. Despite their tree-like appearance, papayas are technically fast-growing herbaceous plants with hollow stems.
Classification
Papayas are tropical perennials that grow rapidly and can begin fruiting within their first year. They have large, lobed leaves clustered at the top of a single trunk and produce flowers directly from the stem. Papaya plants may be male, female, or hermaphrodite, which plays a major role in fruit production.
USDA Hardiness Zones
Papayas grow best in USDA Zones 9–11, where temperatures stay consistently warm. They are extremely sensitive to frost and cold winds. Even brief exposure to temperatures below 32°F can severely damage or kill the plant. If you live outside these zones, grow a dwarf papaya variety in a container so you can move it indoors during colder months. Even in Central Florida, these plants can struggle. They love the warm South Florida weather, which is why South Florida is a major commercial producer of this fruit.
Height Potential
Papaya plants grow quickly and typically reach 10–20 feet tall, though some varieties can grow taller in ideal conditions. Their shallow root systems make them well-suited to container growing, which can also help manage height. Plus, there are several dwarf varieties bred specifically to be container plants.
Planting
Papayas prefer to be planted outdoors in warm climates with plenty of sun and protection from wind. Space plants 4–8 feet apart. Because papayas can be male, female, or hermaphrodite, planting multiple seedlings increases the chance of fruiting. Hermaphrodite plants are ideal for home gardeners since they are self-fertile.
Light
Papayas thrive in full sun and require at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient light can lead to weak growth and poor fruit production. If grown indoors, supplemental grow lights are strongly recommended.
Soil/Watering
Papayas require well-draining soil and do not tolerate standing water. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Water deeply and regularly, especially during hot weather, as papayas have high water needs due to their rapid growth.
Fertilizer
Papayas are heavy feeders. Use a balanced fertilizer with higher nitrogen every 2–4 weeks during the growing season. Regular feeding supports rapid growth, flowering, and fruit development. Reduce fertilization slightly during cooler months.
Pruning
Minimal pruning is needed for papayas. Remove dead or damaged leaves to improve airflow and reduce pest issues. Unlike woody trees, papayas do not respond well to heavy pruning.
Cold Weather Care
Papayas are not cold-hardy. When temperatures drop below 40°F, protect plants with frost cloths or move container-grown plants indoors. Cold damage can slow growth, reduce fruiting, or kill the plant entirely. Learn more in our Overwintering Guide.
Fruiting and Harvesting
Papayas can begin fruiting 1-2 years after planting, making them one of the fastest fruiting plants. Fruits are ready to harvest when they begin turning yellow or orange. Regular harvesting encourages continued production.
Common Pests
Common papaya pests include aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and fruit flies. Neem oil or insecticidal soap can be used for control. Good airflow and healthy soil help prevent infestations.
Toxic to Pets?
Papaya plants are not toxic to pets. However, the milky latex found in unripe fruit and stems may cause mild stomach upset or skin irritation if consumed in large amounts.
After Arrival Care
Please give your plant a little TLC after its journey through the mail 📬. Here are a few steps we recommend:
- Unwrap immediately to provide fresh air to the plant and soil.
- Wait a few days before exposing to full sunlight so your plant can adjust after being in a dark box for several days.
- Always protect from heat and cold because temperature extremes can be stressful or deadly for plants.
- Water. Your baby plant may be parched and even a little wilted but thorough hydration will help it recover.
- Grow out in a larger pot to increase your chances of success—i.e., a quarter gallon—Then transplant to the ground or the next pot size up once the roots fill to the bottom. This will help the plant get sufficient water and nutrients directly to the roots.
Learn more in our After Arrival Care Guide.
Repotting
We highly recommend growing your baby plant out in a larger pot 🪴 to increase your chances of success 🏆. Repotting helps focus the water and nutrients directly towards the roots. If the pot is too large or if your baby is planted in the ground, the water and nutrients have more room to spread to the wrong places where they aren’t needed. This can be extra detrimental to a baby plant that needs all the support it can get as it’s growing up. You don’t have to repot immediately, but the sooner you do, the more room it has to grow.
Here are some general repotting tips:
- Start with a pot that's 1–2 inches larger in diameter than the starter-sized pot it came in. A pint or quart would be great.
- Transplant to the next pot size up once the roots fill to the bottom.
Learn more in our Repotting Guide.
Shop Papayas
Start or continue growing your Papaya collection.
Happy planting! 🪴
