When to Plant Papaya in Sydney, Warm Temperate Guide

Plant November to December. Right now in September it is out of season. The next planting month is November.

Also called pawpaw.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Papaya guide is written for the Warm Temperate zone, which takes in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Papaya

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Fast-growing tropical herbaceous plant (not a true tree) that fruits within 10-12 months from seed. In Australia, 'papaya' refers to red/orange-fleshed varieties and 'pawpaw' to yellow-fleshed types. Both are Carica papaya. Strictly tropical/warm subtropical. Frost kills them outright. Extremely productive when conditions are right. A single plant can produce 30-50 fruit per year. Short-lived (3-5 years productive life) but easily replaced from seed.

Best Planting Window for Warm Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - - - - P P

P = Planting window

November-December only. Warmest microclimate.

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How to Grow Papaya in Warm Temperate Australia

When to Plant

November-December only. Warmest microclimate.

Soil
Rich, well-drained soil. Cannot tolerate waterlogging. Raised mounds in heavy soil. Sandy loam with organic matter ideal.
pH Range
5.5-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun, maximum heat. Sheltered from wind (large leaves are easily damaged).

Companion plants: Banana, Sweet potato, Tropical ground covers

Avoid planting near: Waterlogged areas, Windy exposed positions

Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Papaya

Recommended Varieties

  • Southern Red (if attempting)

Key Challenges

  • Winter kills plants
  • May not fruit before cold arrives
  • Extremely marginal

Pro Tips

  • Very marginal in Sydney. Treat as annual. Plant in spring, hope for fruit before winter kills it.
  • Greenhouse or conservatory growing is more realistic.

Harvesting Papaya

When ready: Skin changes from green to yellow (amount varies by variety). Fruit gives slightly when pressed. Harvest at 1/4 to 1/2 colour change for fruit fly management and ripen indoors.

How to harvest: Twist and pull, or cut stem. Handle carefully. Ripe papaya bruises easily.

Where to next

What papaya costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the warm temperate zone this September: Ginger, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Cucumber.

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Common Questions About Papaya

When do you plant papaya in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

What else is papaya called?

Papaya is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it pawpaw. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.