LeafyPlant care › Pawpaw

Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Care Guide

Care guide for Pawpaw: light, watering, humidity, soil and temperature, based on the species' botanical profile.

Pawpaw

📷 Steven Smethurst · CC BY 4.0 · GBIF/iNaturalist

Care at a glance

LightPlenty of light; some direct sun is tolerated.
WaterWater roughly every 7 days, let the top 2-3 cm of soil dry out between waterings. Drought-sensitive — don't let it dry out completely.
HumidityHigh humidity (60-85%): mist or use a humidity tray.
TemperatureWarm and humid: 18-27 °C (65-80 °F); keep away from frost and cold drafts.
SoilWell-draining mix, slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.0-8.0).
Growthfast growth. Mature height ~6.1 m (20.0 ft).
Origin

Native to: Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras.

Growing Pawpaw at home?

With Leafy, snap your plants for instant ID, personalized care reminders and pet-toxicity alerts. Free.

📷 Download Leafy free →
Reference guidance based on the species' botanical profile; adjust to your home conditions.