Asimina triloba
American Paw Paw · Dog-banana · Indian-banana · Pawpaw
About the plant
What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.
The plant
- Habit
- shrub or treePlants of the World Online
- Habit
- Perennial, Shrub, TreePLANTS Database
- Height
- 15-30 ft4.6-9.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Spread
- 15-30 ft4.6-9.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Flower
- Brown/Copper, Purple/Lavender, Red/BurgundyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Blooms
- SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Native range
- Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
- Hardiness zones
- 5-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Deep shade; Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Soil
- Adapted to coarse, medium textured soilsPLANTS Database
- Soil pH
- Acid (<6.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Moisture
- Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Watering
- Drought tolerance: LowPLANTS Database
Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.
Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.
Worth knowing
- The DeSoto expedition recorded it in the lower Mississippi Valley in 1541. It is the northernmost American member of a mostly tropical family. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Asimina triloba
- The fruit tastes rather like banana, but a tree seldom sets much without pollen from another tree. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Asimina triloba
- It is a caterpillar food plant of the zebra swallowtail and the pawpaw sphinx moth. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Asimina triloba
This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.
Protocol 1
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996Difficulty Moderate
Start around December 1, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C
Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C
about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 35 days.
76% germination in 0–35 days.
Protocol 2
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996Difficulty Moderate
Start around February 22, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.
Gibberellic acid soak
Sow and cover
Temperature: 70°F 21°C
No stated waiting before sowing. Then 42 days to germinate.
50% germination in 28–42 days.
How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.
Germination trials
Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials
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