Carica papaya (Papaya)

Of course, the papaya is primarily known for its delicious fruit, but it is also botanically quite curious and has high ornamental value due to its unusual appearance. Originally from Central America, it is now cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical climates.

It is often called a papaya tree because of its growth habit, but this is botanically incorrect, as its trunk, which can reach up to 10 meters in height (and there is always only one trunk per plant), is hollow inside and does not become completely woody. Only the larger tracheids become woody. Therefore, it is neither a tree nor a shrub, but rather a kind of "tree-like herb".

Its leaves are arranged spirally around the trunk. At regular intervals, it sheds its oldest (lowest) leaf. Thus, the leaf spiral shifts upwards in sync with the trunk's growth, and the base of the tree becomes bare. The leaves themselves are quite large (up to about 50 cm) and palmately lobed twice.

The fruit of Carica papaya is botanically a berry and can weigh up to 10 kg! However, most cultivated varieties remain significantly smaller. Papayas sold in our region usually only weigh about 0.5 kg.

To bear fruit in our climate, it needs to be cultivated in a conservatory or greenhouse. As a container plant, it grows to about 2.5 to 3 meters tall and must reach this height before it will produce fruit. However, if you have the space, it's easy to get it to flower and fruit because it grows extremely quickly.


You will receive a strong young plant, approximately 40 to 60cm tall, in a 9cm square pot.

Please note: Papaya plants usually react to changes in location by dropping most of their leaves. However, they quickly sprout new growth and then continue to grow rapidly.