Fall harvest — Pennsylvania-grown pawpaws, picked at peak ripeness for seed extraction
Grown in Pennsylvania
Fully stratified · Ready to plant · Susquehanna & Allegheny cultivars
Hand-harvested last September. Kept in optimal conditions all winter — ready to go in the ground now.
Susquehanna, Allegheny, and robust naturally born varieties. Diverse genetics, diverse flavors.
Orders ship late March through May. Seeds packed in moist medium to stay viable in transit.
The pawpaw is North America's largest native fruit — custard-sweet, almost tropical, and rarely found in stores. Ripe fruit falls September through October. Each fruit holds 6–12 seeds.
Our seeds come from mature trees in southeastern Pennsylvania, selected for fruit size and flavor over multiple seasons.
Unlock the potential of your garden with our fully stratified pawpaw seeds, ready for planting immediately. Handpicked and carefully stored since last September, these seeds promise a fruitful and rewarding gardening experience.
10 seeds per pack · Shipping included · Limited spring availability
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Native to North America, the pawpaw thrives in USDA zones 5–8. Despite its tropical look, this hardy tree handles moderately cold winters. Versatile and resilient — it graces almost any landscape with its umbrella-shaped canopy.
Pawpaw trees can be container-planted for a manageable look. Find an area with full to partial sun — no more than 5 hours of indirect afternoon sunlight daily. Use a deep container (twice the root ball size) with drainage holes. Because pawpaws develop a deep taproot, depth matters. Dispose of any standing water to avoid fungal growth.
Note: Hand pollination required indoors — pawpaws are not self-fertile.
Leave 15–25 feet of space between trees and other structures. Find an area with partial sunlight and well-drained soil. Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 1–2 inches apart. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged — pawpaw seeds can take a few weeks to sprout, so patience is key.
Plant at least 2 trees for cross-pollination and fruit set.
Pollination is crucial — pawpaws aren't self-fertile. Outdoors, flies and beetles do the work naturally. Indoors, hand pollinate using a small paintbrush to distribute pollen from flower to flower. These blooms will eventually produce fruit.
Harvest season runs September–October. Pawpaws are ready when they yield slightly to pressure and are easily plucked from the tree. Avoid overripe fruit — odd taste sets in quickly. Fresh pawpaws keep in cold storage up to 3 days. Freeze the pulp for up to 6 months.
The flavor is unbelievable — often described as dessert-like, resembling rich custard with tropical notes. Pawpaws are rarely found in grocery stores. Growing your own is the best way to experience them.
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is North America's largest native fruit — dynamic, unique, and undeniably sweet. If you haven't encountered one, you're in for a treat. Dynamic and custard-rich with tropical undertones, it's one of the most rewarding trees you can grow in the eastern US.
Our seeds come from mature trees in southeastern Pennsylvania, growing in the heart of pawpaw country. Handpicked at peak ripeness and cold-stratified over winter — they're ready to become your next great gardening story.
Questions? seeds@pawpawseeds.com