Grow your own Paw Paw (Asimina triloba), also known as the Indian Banana, a hardy native fruit tree with a distinctly tropical look. Despite its large lush leaves and custard-like fruit, Paw Paw is adapted to temperate climates and can tolerate cold winters. In spring, the tree produces unusual burgundy-purple bell-shaped flowers, followed later by green fruits with sweet, creamy flesh often compared to banana. Its large leaves turn bright yellow in fall for an extra season of color.
NOTE: All California orders will be shipped bare root late October-March.
Why Choose This Plant
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You receive 1 live Paw Paw tree
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Approximately 6–12 inches tall
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Shipped growing in a quart-size pot
- Produces sweet, custard-like edible fruit when mature
- Large tropical-looking foliage on a cold-hardy tree
- Attractive yellow fall foliage
- Excellent for edible landscapes, woodland gardens, and backyard orchards
At a Glance
| Plant |
Paw Paw / Indian Banana – Asimina triloba
|
| Order contents |
1 live tree |
| Plant size |
Approximately 6–12 inches |
| Container |
Quart pot |
| Plant type |
Deciduous fruit tree |
| Best for |
Edible landscapes, backyard orchards, woodland gardens |
| Light |
Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature height |
Commonly around 15–30 ft |
| Fruit |
Sweet, creamy, custard-like fruit |
| Fall color |
Bright yellow |
| Success starts with |
Moist, fertile, well-drained soil and consistent watering |
How to Plant & Grow
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Choose a location with moist, fertile, well-drained soil.
- Young Paw Paw trees appreciate some protection from intense sun, while established trees generally fruit best with more sunlight.
- Dig a planting hole slightly wider than the root ball and plant at the same depth as the tree was growing in its pot.
- Water deeply after planting and keep the soil consistently moist while the tree establishes.
- Add mulch around the root zone to help conserve moisture, keeping mulch away from direct contact with the trunk.
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For fruit production, plant at least two genetically different Paw Paw trees nearby for cross-pollination. Paw Paw flowers are generally self-incompatible.
Set expectations: You are purchasing a young live Paw Paw tree measuring approximately 6–12 inches in a quart pot. Plant size, leaf count, branching, and appearance can naturally vary. Seasonal dormancy may also affect how the plant looks when shipped.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly will I receive?
You will receive 1 live Paw Paw (Asimina triloba) tree approximately 6–12 inches tall in a quart-size pot.
Does Paw Paw fruit taste like banana?
Paw Paw fruit has soft, custard-like flesh with a naturally sweet tropical flavor that is often compared with banana and other tropical fruits.
Do I need two Paw Paw trees to produce fruit?
For reliable fruit production, yes. Paw Paw flowers are generally self-incompatible, so a genetically different Paw Paw nearby is needed for effective cross-pollination.
When does Paw Paw produce flowers and fruit?
Purplish-brown flowers appear in spring, while fruits generally mature from late summer into early fall.
Does Paw Paw have good fall color?
Yes. Its large green leaves typically turn an attractive golden to bright yellow in fall
