You can find papayas at the grocery store all year round. While these trees can technically be harvested anytime in their native tropical climates, the peak season actually hits right when we’re in the middle of a chilly North American winter.
First Harvest in Just a Few Months
The papaya belongs to the Caricaceae family (often called “melon trees”), and let me tell you—these things grow fast! In tropical regions, seedlings are moved into the ground just four weeks after germination. You can expect to see your first harvest in as little as five to eight months. By that point, the trees are already standing about six feet tall.
Because they grow so quickly, you can actually try growing your own papaya even if you live in a cooler climate, as long as you have a frost-free spot for them to spend the winter. Propagating papayas is pretty straightforward using seeds. In fact, the seeds you scoop out of a store-bought papaya usually germinate surprisingly well!
Peak Winter Harvest
Papayas need consistent temperatures between 68°F and 72°F to develop fruit. This is why the main harvest in tropical growing regions happens during their summer—which aligns with winter in the Northern Hemisphere. One thing to keep in mind: these fruits bruise incredibly easily, so they need to be handled with total “white-glove” care.
If you’re lucky enough to harvest your own and want to store your papayas, the golden rule is to keep them on a soft surface. You’ve probably noticed the ones in the store come in those thick plastic mesh sleeves; that’s to prevent bruising.
At home, you can store your harvest in a box lined with crumpled newspaper or wood wool. Just make sure there’s enough airflow around the fruit, otherwise, they might start to rot where they touch the surface.
Fruit All Year Round
In tropical plantations, papayas are harvested year-round, though the yield drops slightly during their cooler months. Even then, a healthy tree can still produce about one fruit per day!
If you’re growing them yourself at home, your best bet is to plant your papaya in a large pot. You can let them soak up the sun outdoors during the summer, and the great thing is they make pretty decent houseplants during the winter.
The key to keeping them happy indoors is plenty of light and high humidity. While a sunny window usually provides enough light, indoor heating can make the air way too dry. To fix this, give your papaya a quick misting with water every now and then, or even pop it in the shower for a warm “tropical rain” session!
