The exotic appeal of Papaya will blow you away. What are the sweet, juicy Pawpaw fruits alone? Learn all the secrets of growing Carica Papaya in your garden as easily as pie!
Carica papaya, commonly known as Papaya or Pawpaw, belongs to the Caricaceae family. The whole sweetness of the fruit was first discovered in Central America, and further, Papaya spread throughout the world in tropical and subtropical regions. Not surprisingly, the plant grows best in USDA zones 10 through 11, where the climate is warm and frost-free.
The trees typically reach 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 meters) and boast large, deeply lobed leaves. Papayas are producing fruit within a relatively short timeframe, usually around 5 to 8 months after planting. These trees produce fruit year-round in the right conditions, with Papayas varying in size, typically around 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) in length, and having orange or yellow skin when ripe.
One of the most distinct features of Papaya is its fruit—a vibrant, elongated sphere that comes in a spectrum of colors when ripe. The fruit's flesh is sweet, tropical, and delightfully succulent.
