Experience the unique flavor of Paw Paw, often called the Indian Banana, by growing your own Asimina triloba tree from seed.
Native to North America, this deciduous fruit tree produces custard-like fruits with a tropical taste reminiscent of banana, mango, and melon. The tree also features beautiful purple-brown flowers in spring, making it both ornamental and productive.
Perfect for home gardens, orchards, or food forests, the Paw Paw is a cold-hardy species that thrives in temperate climates and offers high nutritional value — rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Features
- 🍌 Exotic Flavor: Fruits taste like a blend of banana, mango, and vanilla.
- 🌳 Cold-Hardy Native Tree: Thrives in USDA Zones 5–8.
- 🌸 Beautiful Spring Flowers: Purple-brown blossoms attract pollinators.
- 🫐 Nutrient-Rich Fruit: High in vitamins A, C, and antioxidants.
- 🪴 Perfect for Home Gardens: Compact tree ideal for backyards or small orchards.
- 🌿 Non-GMO Seeds: 100% natural and untreated.
Specifications
- Common Name: Paw Paw / Indian Banana / American Custard Apple
- Scientific Name: Asimina triloba
- Plant Type: Deciduous fruit tree
- Zones: USDA 5–8
- Growth Habit: Upright small tree (10–25 ft tall)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-draining loamy soil
- Soil pH: 5.5–7.0
- Watering: Regular, especially during fruiting season
- Temperature Range: 55–85°F (13–29°C)
- Flowers: Purple-brown, bell-shaped flowers in spring
- Fruits: Green-yellow fruits with creamy, tropical-flavored flesh
- Days to Germination: 90–120 days (requires stratification)
- Maturity: 4–6 years from seed to fruit
- Pollination: Cross-pollination recommended for best yield
- GMO Status: 100% Non-GMO
- Harvest Season: Late summer to early fall
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts, smoothies, jams, and baking
Planting Guide
- Cold Stratification: Refrigerate seeds for 90–120 days in moist peat moss to mimic winter dormancy.
- Sowing: Plant 1 inch deep in moist, rich soil after stratification.
- Temperature: Keep soil at 70–80°F for best germination.
- Light: Grow in partial shade during early stages; move to full sun later.
- Transplanting: Transfer seedlings when they are 6–10 inches tall.
- Spacing: Allow 10–15 feet between trees for optimal growth.
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during dry months.
- Pollination: Plant two or more trees to ensure good fruit set.
- Harvest: Pick ripe fruits when skin turns yellowish-green and slightly soft.
Care Tips
- Mulching: Use organic mulch to retain soil moisture and protect roots.
- Fertilization: Apply compost or balanced fertilizer in spring.
- Winter Protection: Young plants benefit from wind protection in cold regions.
- Pest Control: Paw Paw trees are naturally pest-resistant.
- Pollinator Assistance: Hand-pollination can improve fruit yield.
