Most named cultivars originated in the Midwest, which is the northern portion of the pawpaw's range. A national regional variety trial is underway to determine which varieties perform best in different parts of the country, and results should become available in the next several years. In the meantime, for best results, choose cultivars that were selected in a climatic zone and latitude similar to the area where they will be planted. Germinating seedlings, however, will not survive under those conditions because they are extremely sensitive to full sunlight, which can kill them. Shading for the first year, and sometimes the second, is normally required outside, and it is for this reason that pawpaws are almost always found in nature as an understory tree.
Good drainage is essential to success.
Pawpaws will not thrive in heavy soil or waterlogged soil. In habit it is a small tree, seldom taller than 25 feet. Grown in full sun, the pawpaw tree develops a narrowly pyramidal shape with dense, drooping foliage down to the ground level. In the shade it has a more open branching habit with few lower limbs and horizontally held leaves. Seed Propagation Pawpaw seed is slow to germinate, but it is not difficult to grow seedlings if certain procedures are followed.