Papaya, also known as Pawpaw, are sweet and juicy tropical fruits loaded with nutrients, and one of the easiest fruits to grow from seed. Just one mature papaya gives you enough seeds for an entire pawpaw grove. You will be amazed at how quickly these trees grow in just one year, or less in hotter climates, into a fruit-producing tree. You can grow papaya in containers or the ground depending on your climate.
Papaya trees are not long-lived. Fruit production declines after about 3 years, but a tree may live as long as 25 years. The bountiful papaya takes care of that by giving you more than enough seeds to keep you succession planting papaya for years.
Papaya: Ancient Superfood for Health and Beauty
The papaya is native to southern Mexico and Central America. Spanish and Portuguese traders transported the fruit to other tropical countries in Asia and Africa. One of the two main varieties is the Hawaiian papaya with a yellow peel and a bright orange flesh. The other common variety is the much larger and less flavorful Mexican papaya. This reminds me of the difference between the small, but tasty California Hass avocado and the large, but less tasty, Florida avocado. The Hawaiin papaya is more commonly found in supermarkets as its shorter tree lends itself easier to large scale cultivation.
Skin Benefits of Papaya
The ancient Mayans are the earliest people credited with knowing the benefits of papaya. They celebrated the papaya tree as “the tree of life” and used it medicinally for many of the ailments we prescribe it for today. The fruit contains papain, an enzyme that rejuvenates the skin by aiding in the removal of dead skin. Exfoliating skin helps prevent clogged pores that, preventing dull skin and acne. Papaya’s high water content helps maintain hydration and boosts collagen for youthful-looking skin. Papaya is commonly used in skincare products.
A face mask with papaya and honey can easily be made at home: Mash papaya, then mix it with two to three spoons of honey to make a smooth paste. Patch test on your jawline for a few minutes to ensure it is non-irritating for your skin. Then smooth it all over your face, avoiding your eyes, and rinse off after 15 – 20 minutes.
Papaya and Gut Health
Digestive health is essential to achieving overall health. The papain enzyme is useful for promoting gut health by cleaning your stomach of toxins when eaten on an empty stomach. Papain works so well that it is sold as a supplement to help with bloating and heartburn. Also, the high fiber and water content of the papaya helps prevent constipation. It is best to eat most fruits on an empty stomach at least 30 – 45 minutes before a meal.
Papaya Boosts Immunity
Like most fruits, papaya is high in antioxidants – Vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene – which protect the body from the oxidative havoc wreaked on the body by free radicals. These antioxidants also fight disease-causing inflammation linked to arthritis, cancer, and even macular degeneration. Fun fact! Papaya tops the list of fruits high in Vitamin C.
How to Grow a Papaya Tree From Seed
Start indoors, or outdoors in the Spring after any chance of frost.
Step 1: Harvest your seeds from the ripest papaya you can get your hands on.
Step 2: Scoop out the black seeds and soak them in a glass of water for a day or two. This step removes the gelatinous germination prevention substance which coats the seed.
Step 3: Spread the seeds on exposed soil in the garden bed or a pot. Cover the seeds lightly with soil. Water.
In a few days, you will see the tiny stems and leaves emerge. Keep the soil moist and just watch. It won’t be long before you get lovely tropical fruits. Place your papaya tree in a sunny spot protected for harsh winds. Papaya is a tropical plant so it does not like cold but it can withstand a light frost.
Pollination
Papaya trees are either dioecious – female or male, or gynodioecious – both male and female (essentially self-pollinating). Since you cannot tell from the fruit, it is a good idea to germinate many seeds and plant close. Not too close. Within a few feet of each other should be fine. You will be able to tell from the flowers in about 6 months. Manual pollination can be performed if needed by inserting the stamen of the male flower into the open female flower, or you can use a q tip or paintbrush to transfer the pollen. Like a bee.
Eat the Papaya
What could be better than harvesting fruit straight from trees in your garden? Maybe the apple and pear trees you planted at the same time you planted your papaya have another couple of years to go before you get any fruit. If you grew them from seed, it will take even longer. While you wait – eat papaya!
The most common way to eat papaya is simply to slice or cube the ripe fruit and enjoy the sweetness. Toss papaya into a fruit salad for an extra touch of exotic flavor. Papaya can also be used as a topping for cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, and pancakes.
Some people enjoy the benefits of green or unripe papaya. Supposedly, all the things we love about ripe papaya are even better in green papaya. They contain more of the enzymes papain and metabolism-boosting chymopapain. Green papaya is not very tasty but adds a crunchy texture to salads, similar to jicama and green mango, and is commonly used in Thai recipes. Green papaya is also sold as a health supplement.
There is no end in sight to the purported benefits of papaya. Even the seeds are medicinal. They contain carpaine, an alkaloid, effective in killing certain types of intestinal worms and parasites and may also be effective against viral infections. Lots of food for thought and, of course, discussion with your doctor. Now that you know how to grow a papaya tree from seed, get to growing!
