See our linked video instructions for further advice.

Pawpaw Seed Storage & Germination Success

Pawpaw Farms' seeds have been cleaned in a mild hydrogen peroxide solution. They are free of mold and other infestations. They have been kept moist and cool since harvest.

For best germination results:
Keep refrigerated (33-40F) until planted. (70 to 120 days for full stratification).
Do not allow seeds to freeze.
Do not allow them to dry out.
Do not allow mold to grow on seeds. (If mold appears, clean again with mild hydrogen peroxide solution and store seeds in NEW baggie with fresh moist material.)


Pawpaw Seed Germination
Seeds need at least 70 days at refrigerated temperatures before they will sprout. This process is called stratification. Again, don’t allow them to freeze, dry out or grow mold.

Plant seeds about 2 inches deep in fertile, moist soil with good drainage. Pearlite and vermiculite can be added to the soil to increase moisture retention and reduce compaction where the ground is hard. We prefer Miracle Grow Fruit Tree potting mix.

Plant seeds in tall tree pots. We use 14” deep pots and 5 gallon buckets. Pawpaw have deep tap roots. It is best to have well-formed roots before planting in the ground. Pawpaw trees do not like to have their roots disturbed. Be careful when transplanting. The roots are fragile and break very easily.

Heavy winds can damage pawpaw seedlings. Animals can damage them also, so we recommend protective tubes or protective cages.

Pawpaw is a natural understory tree. Shade your seedlings for at least the first two summers. Pawpaw trees need sunlight to produce fruit. Most pawpaw trees are not self-fertile, so you will need at least two trees with different genetics to produce fruit. Each seed is different.

Mites are our largest killer of young pawpaw. Use NEEM OIL for prevention and treatment.

PawpawFarms.com has links for growing advice and other pawpaw matters.