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Fruit tree

Papaya

Carica papaya · also Pawpaw

A fast, short-lived tree that crops well in the tropics and subtropics and in warm, sheltered temperate gardens. It is frost-tender and hates wet roots, so plant in spring on a mound or raised bed. Bisexual varieties fruit on their own. In cool climates growth stalls and fruit rarely ripens.

When to plant where you live

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Planting times for other areas

Varieties (4)

  • Red RB4 HybridBisexual and self-fruitful; red-pink flesh
  • Southern RedMostly bisexual; orange-red flesh; heavy cropper; best in a warm, sheltered spot
  • Sunrise SoloBisexual; small pink-fleshed fruit; the world's most commonly grown papaya
  • Yellow YD1B HybridThe most widely grown hybrid in Australia; vigorous

Neighbours

Grows well with

From seed to plate

  1. Plant

    250 cm apart. Full sun.

  2. Water

    Regular water in warm weather; keep roots from sitting wet, especially in winter.

  3. Feed

    Compost and a balanced fertiliser every month or two in the warm season.

  4. Pick, from about 39 weeks

    Pick when the skin starts to yellow and ripen indoors; picking early also avoids fruit fly.

Good to know

  • Trees decline after 4 to 5 years; plant a replacement every few years
  • Wear gloves when handling green fruit: the milky latex irritates skin
  • Dwarf, cutting-grown varieties fruit low and sooner

Common problems

  • Root and collar rot in wet soilplant on a mound in free-draining soil
  • Fruit flypick at first colour and ripen indoors
  • Cold stops growth and yellows leavesgive a warm, sheltered, north-facing spot
  • Dioecious types need a male and female plant to fruitchoose a bisexual variety for a single tree

If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.

Ask the garden helper about papayaAny question, answered from the plant libraryHow others are growing papayaQuestions, tips and harvests from the community

Wildlife

Good for: birds.

Safety: The milky latex in green fruit, leaves and stems contains papain and can irritate skin and cause allergic reactions, including in people with a latex allergy. Unripe papaya is advised against in pregnancy. Ripe flesh is an everyday food; seeds can upset pets' stomachs.

Where this information comes from

Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 29 Oct 2026. Version 1.