Pawpaw Tree Seedlings (Asimina triloba)

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a native North American fruit tree that bears the largest edible fruit native to the United States. The fruit has a custard-like texture, and people often compare its flavor to banana and mango. Our pawpaw tree seedlings are 6–24" bare-root seedlings sold in packs of 100. They're the most economical way to start a home orchard, a pawpaw grove or a native restoration planting. Pawpaw is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8.

Looking for bigger trees, or just a few? Our pawpaw trees for sale are larger, starting at 1–2 ft tall, and come in small or large quantities. They're also available in 1-gallon containers.

Pawpaw Seedling Plant Facts

• Botanical name: Asimina triloba
• Hardiness zones: 5–8
• Mature size: usually 15–30 ft tall, with a 15–20 ft spread
• Light: some shade while young, then more sun for the best fruit
• Soil: rich, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
• Years to fruit: usually 5–8 years from seedling
• Sizes: 6–12", 12–18" and 18–24", in packs of 100
• Ships: bare root by UPS, dug fresh from November 15 to April 15

Why Grow Pawpaw Seedlings?

Pawpaw is a native tree with large, tropical-looking leaves, maroon spring flowers and yellow fall color. It rarely needs spraying. Pawpaw is the only host plant for the zebra swallowtail butterfly's caterpillars, so a planting supports native wildlife as well as your harvest. Seedlings cost far less than grafted trees, which makes them the practical choice for larger plantings.

What Soil Do Pawpaw Seedlings Need?

Pawpaw seedlings grow best in deep, fertile, moist soil that drains well and is slightly acidic. A well-drained spot keeps them thriving.

How Do Pawpaw Seedlings Grow and Where to Plant Them?

In the wild, young pawpaws grow in the dappled shade of the understory, so they thrive with a little shade in their first year or two. Plant seedlings where they get some shade while young, or give them temporary shade. Once established, they fruit best with more sun. Over time pawpaws form lovely natural groves, so leave them room at woodland edges, in orchards or along streams.

How Long Until Pawpaw Seedlings Bear Fruit?

Seedlings usually begin bearing after 5–8 years, once they reach about 6 ft tall. The timing depends on sun, soil, moisture and having a second pawpaw nearby.

Pawpaw Seedlings or Grafted Pawpaw Trees?

Grafted trees repeat the fruit of one known variety. Seedlings cost far less, bring natural variety from tree to tree, and suit groves, wildlife plantings and anyone planting in numbers.

How to Plant Bare-Root Pawpaw Seedlings

Soak the roots in water for about an hour. Dig a hole deep and wide enough to spread the roots without bending them, set the seedling at the same depth it grew, and backfill with the soil you removed. Water well to settle the soil.

Care for Asimina triloba

Keep the soil evenly moist through the first growing season and water during dry spells. A layer of mulch holds moisture and keeps weeds down. Young seedlings love a little afternoon shade until they're established.

Why Buy Pawpaw Tree Seedlings From TN Nursery?

Pawpaw is the tree we know best. We grow over 2 million pawpaws in Tennessee from over 2 tons of seed each year, sourced from every major seed source in the country, so every 100-pack comes fresh-dug from our own stock. Customers who plant our pawpaws most often tell us the trees arrive healthy, with strong roots, and carefully packed. A 100-pack gives you the lowest price per plant for orchards, groves and restoration plantings. Browse more tree seedlings, or read our pawpaw tree guide for growing tips.

Three generations of our family now grow pawpaw seedlings across more than 170 acres and 10 greenhouses in Tennessee.