How to grow Pawpaw in New Zealand
Tropical pawpaw, or papaya (Carica papaya), is a fast-growing, single-stemmed plant with a crown of large leaves and sweet orange fruit hanging from the trunk. It is highly frost sensitive and stops growing in cool weather, so in New Zealand it is realistic only in the warmest frost-free spots of Northland and Auckland, or in a heated glasshouse. For most gardens, the hardier mountain pawpaw is a much easier choice.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Pawpaw in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | October to December | |
| Auckland | October to December | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | Not suited | Too cold for pawpaw outdoors here. Only worth trying in a glasshouse. |
| Central North Island | Not suited | Far too cold for pawpaw. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | Not suited | Too cold for pawpaw outdoors here. Only worth trying in a glasshouse. |
| Nelson & Marlborough | Not suited | Too cold for pawpaw outdoors here. Only worth trying in a glasshouse. |
| Canterbury | Not suited | Far too cold for pawpaw. |
| Otago & Southland | Not suited | Far too cold for pawpaw. |
| Central Otago | Not suited | Far too cold for pawpaw. |
Not to be confused with: Mountain pawpaw (Vasconcellea pubescens) and oak-leaved papaya, hardier relatives with smaller fruit that grow outdoors in more of New Zealand. In North America, pawpaw also means an unrelated tree, Asimina.
Where to plant
Pawpaw needs year-round warmth, full sun and shelter from wind, in rich soil with excellent drainage; the roots rot quickly in wet or cold soil. Even in the far north it is best in a frost-free sun trap, such as against a north-facing wall, or in a glasshouse.
Expect it to stop growing through the cooler months. Cold, wet winters are the main reason pawpaw plants fail in New Zealand gardens.
- Northland and Auckland: plant from October to December in the warmest frost-free, sheltered spot, or grow under cover.
- Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Wellington, and Nelson and Marlborough: too cold for pawpaw outdoors; only worth trying in a glasshouse.
- Central North Island, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, and Central Otago: far too cold for pawpaw. Consider mountain pawpaw for a sheltered spot instead.
Choosing a variety
| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bisexual (self-fertile) papaya | Plants with both male and female parts in each flower, so a single plant can fruit. The best choice for a home garden or glasshouse |
| Seedling papaya | Seedlings can be male, female or bisexual. Males never fruit and females need a male nearby, so plant several and keep the fruiting ones |
| Mountain pawpaw (a hardier relative) | Small, yellow, ribbed fruit eaten fresh or cooked; grows outdoors in milder New Zealand gardens, protected from frost and wind when young. Plant two or more for pollination |
How to plant
- Raise seedlings in a warm spot, or buy young plants, and plant out only once nights are reliably warm.
- Choose the warmest, most sheltered position and dig in plenty of compost. On heavy soil, plant on a raised mound for drainage.
- Plant at the same depth as in the pot, without disturbing the roots, and water in.
- Mulch around the base, keeping mulch off the stem, and shelter young plants from wind.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly and deeply through the warm months, but never let the soil stay wet, especially as the weather cools. In winter, water sparingly.
Pawpaw grows fast and is a heavy feeder: feed regularly from spring to autumn with a balanced fertiliser or compost.
Harvesting
Pick fruit when the skin has turned from green to mostly yellow or orange. It finishes ripening on the bench until slightly soft, then keeps two to three days in the fridge.
Unripe green fruit can be cooked as a vegetable. The milky sap of green fruit and stems can irritate skin, so wear gloves when picking unripe fruit.
Pests and diseases
Cold and wet soil kill far more pawpaw plants in New Zealand than pests do.
Pawpaw is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Root rot Yellowing leaves, a soft, rotting stem base and collapse, in cold or waterlogged soil. Plant on a mound in free-draining soil.
- Anthracnose Sunken, dark spots on ripening fruit in warm, humid weather; pick fruit promptly.
- Papaya ringspot virus
Common questions
Can I grow pawpaw in New Zealand?
Only in the warmest, frost-free, sheltered spots of Northland and Auckland, and even there it does best in a sun trap or glasshouse. Elsewhere, grow it in a heated glasshouse, or try mountain pawpaw instead.
Why isn't my pawpaw fruiting?
It may be a male plant, which never fruits, or a female with no male nearby. Bisexual plants fruit on their own. Cool weather also stops growth and flowering.
What is mountain pawpaw?
A hardier relative from the Andes with small, yellow, ribbed fruit, eaten fresh or cooked. It grows outdoors in milder New Zealand gardens if protected from frost and wind when young, and two or more plants help pollination.
How do I know when pawpaw is ripe?
When the skin turns mostly yellow or orange. Let it finish softening on the bench.
Why did my pawpaw die in winter?
Usually cold, wet roots or frost. Pawpaw stops growing below about 10°C and rots in wet soil, so plant it on a mound in the warmest spot, water sparingly in winter, or grow it under cover.
Sources we checked: Wikipedia: Papaya; Incredible Edibles: Mountain Paw Paw; Incredible Edibles: Oak-leaved papaya.