Pawpaw
Can I Grow Pawpaw (Sunflower)?
Sunflower is the most self-fertile pawpaw variety, making it the best choice if you only have room for one tree. Flavor is excellent with creamy, custard-like texture.
Growing Requirements
Chill Hours
400
Hardiness Zones
5-6-7-8
Harvest
September to October
Results
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Pruning dates, harvests, spray schedules, what worked. The gardeners who get the most from their trees are the ones who kept records.
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About Pawpaw (Sunflower)
Sunflower is the most self-fertile pawpaw variety, making it the best choice if you only have room for one tree. Flavor is excellent with creamy, custard-like texture.
Pawpaw (Sunflower) requires 400 chill hours — the number of hours between 32°F and 45°F during winter dormancy. Without enough chill, the tree may fail to flower properly or produce poor fruit.
⚠️ Common Challenges
Even 'self-fertile' pawpaws produce better with a partner; fruit doesn't store or ship well.
❌ Common Misconception
Will Pawpaw (Sunflower) produce more fruit in colder climates?
Not necessarily. Pawpaw (Sunflower) only needs 400 chill hours. Planting in very cold zones (4 or colder) risks winter damage without improving fruit production. The ideal zones are 5-8 where the tree gets enough chill without excessive cold stress.
If you plant it, write it down.
Variety, rootstock, planting date — and every pruning and harvest after that. Future you will thank you.
Free for up to 30 plants. No card needed.
Other Pawpaw Varieties
Chill hour data from Open-Meteo Historical Weather API. Variety information compiled from university extension services.