Papaya Tree | Fast-Growing Sweet Tropical Fruit

Papaya

5 Gallon

$199.00

1/5

Papaya

Carica papaya

Prolific Year-Round Producer • Sweet, Buttery-Smooth Flesh • Compact & Fast-Fruiting Tree

$199.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Hawaiian Papaya is the quintessential tropical breakfast fruit, prized for its prolific nature, manageable size, and refreshingly sweet flavor. This fast-growing, single-stemmed tree produces a continuous bounty of pear-shaped, golden-orange fruit with smooth, buttery-textured flesh and a central cavity of peppery black seeds. Its flavor is a perfect balance of light sweetness and mild musk, making it incredibly versatile. Compact and quick to fruit, it's the ideal papaya for small gardens, large containers, or anyone wanting a steady supply of homegrown tropical sunshine.

Known for its reliable, year-round production of medium-sized, pear-shaped fruit in warm climates.
Flesh is a vibrant orange-yellow, smooth, buttery, and sweet with a mild, pleasant musky aroma.
A fast-maturing, herbaceous "tree" (actually a large herb) that begins fruiting within 8-12 months from seed.
Naturally compact, often reaching only 8-15 feet, and easily maintained at a harvestable height.
Typically dioecious (separate male and female plants); for home gardens, purchasing a self-pollinating hermaphrodite seedling or a grafted bisexual variety is crucial.
Requires full sun, excellent drainage, and is highly sensitive to frost and cold winds.

Flavor Profile:

Flavor: Delicately sweet with a low acidity and a subtle, tropical musky note.
Texture: Smooth, creamy, and almost buttery when ripe.
Best Uses: Perfect for eating fresh with a squeeze of lime, blending into smoothies, making fruit salsas, or adding to green salads. The seeds are edible and have a spicy, peppery flavor.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Large, palmately lobed leaves with deep divisions, spirally arranged at the top of the trunk.Flowers: Tubular, white blossoms.Fruit: Pear-shaped with smooth skin that turns orange-red when ripe, filled with small black seeds. The yellow flesh is buttery, sweet, and mildly fragrant with a perfectly balanced flavor.Habit: Fast-growing evergreen tree with a slender trunk.
Mature Height: Up to 8 ft
Mature Width: 4–6 ft (crown spread)
Key Advantages:Versatile fruit: Enjoy fresh, in juices, salads, or processed into dried snacks, jams, jellies, and purees.Tropical productivity: Bears fruit year-round in frost-free climates.Compact growth: Suitable for small gardens with proper pruning.
Landscape Uses:Edible gardens or tropical fruit orchards.Container planting (in large pots for cooler climates, moved indoors in winter).
Care Requirements: Light: Full sun (minimum 6–8 hours daily).Soil: Well-drained, fertile; tolerates sandy or loamy soils.Water: Moderate; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.Temperature: Cold-sensitive (protect below 32°F/0°C); thrives in USDA Zones 10–12.Pruning: Remove lower leaves and side shoots to maintain height.
Hardiness:USDA Zones: 10–12 (or as an annual in cooler zones).
Seasonal Interest:Fruit: Year-round in tropical regions.

Q: How do I ensure my papaya tree bears fruit?
A: You must have a fruit-bearing plant. For certainty, purchase a grafted tree of a known bisexual (hermaphrodite) variety from a nursery. If growing from seed, plant 3-4 and thin to the strongest hermaphrodite plant once flowers appear. Solo-type Hawaiian varieties are often hermaphroditic.

Q: Is it true the tree dies after fruiting?
A: Not immediately. Papayas are short-lived perennials. A healthy tree can produce fruit for 3-4 years before it becomes too tall, less productive, and susceptible to disease or wind damage. It's common to replant new trees every few years.

Q: How do I know when it's ripe?
A: The fruit will turn from green to a golden yellow or orange, and will yield slightly to gentle pressure, similar to a ripe avocado. A fruity aroma at the stem end is another good indicator.

Q: Can I grow it in a container?
A: Yes, it is an excellent candidate for a large container (at least 15-20 gallons) in a sunny, sheltered patio. This is a great way to grow it in marginal climates where it can be moved for winter protection. Dwarf varieties are especially suited for this.