Papayas aren’t just a delicious, healthy snack—they’re also a fun DIY project! You can actually grow your own trees right from the seeds of a store-bought fruit. With a little luck (and a cozy spot for them to spend the winter), you might even find yourself harvesting homegrown papayas in your own backyard.
Preparing the Seeds
The papaya is originally from South America, but these days it grows anywhere with a tropical or subtropical vibe. Here in the States, you can keep them outside during the summer, but unless you live in a frost-free zone like South Florida or Hawaii, you’ll need to bring them indoors once the temperature drops.
If you don’t have a papaya tree yet, just grab a ripe one from the grocery store. Growing them from seed usually works like a charm as long as the fruit is nice and mature. However, you can’t just toss the seeds in the dirt. Like tomatoes, papaya seeds are encased in a gelatinous coating that prevents them from sprouting prematurely.
To get rid of that “jelly” layer, you’ll need to ferment the seeds. Heads up: this takes a bit longer than it does with tomatoes—sometimes up to three weeks. Just pop the seeds into a jar of water and keep them in a warm spot. Adding a pinch of sugar can help kickstart the process. After two or three weeks, check to see if the coating rubs off easily. Once it does, they’re ready for the soil!
Sowing the Seeds
For starting your seeds, a standard seed-starting mix works great. I recommend using a mini indoor greenhouse or a seed tray with a lid; this keeps the humidity up so the seeds don’t dry out while they’re doing their thing. If you fermented them properly, papayas actually sprout pretty fast compared to other tropicals—usually within about two weeks.
Keep your seeds warm during this phase; they love a steady temperature around 77°F (25°C). Once the seedlings look strong and have a few leaves, you can gently move them into their own individual pots.
Growing in Containers
Papayas are fascinating plants. While they are perennials, they have a bit of a “shelf life”—the fruit usually starts losing its flavor after about five years. Some people even say the fruit from older trees becomes totally inedible. The silver lining? Papayas are overachievers and can start flowering in as little as a year!
If you’re growing a papaya tree in a climate with cold winters, container gardening is definitely the way to go so you can move them inside. Make sure your pot has a good drainage layer at the bottom, because papayas hate “wet feet” (root rot). Use a nutrient-rich, well-structured potting soil that holds moisture well, as these plants like to stay consistently hydrated.
Consistent watering is key, though you should dial it back during the winter months. They also crave high humidity, which makes them perfect candidates for a greenhouse in the summer. If the air gets too dry, they’ll drop their leaves in a heartbeat. You can help them out by giving the leaves a regular misting with a spray bottle to keep them happy.
