Growing Zone: | Garden in
Find your Growing Zone!

NC - 1 Pawpaw Tree

Asimina triloba 'NC-1'

Regular price $16074
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Out of stock
Plant not supported in Growing Zone. Update address

Unfortunately, this item cannot be shipped to your state.

Shipping to a different address?

Shipping to your area may be delayed due to weather conditions.

Shipping to a different address?

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Find your Growing Zone
Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: For the best fruit production, plant your Pawpaw in full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours daily. While they tolerate partial shade, too much shade results in a leggy shape and fewer "custard apples" to harvest later.
  • Soil: These trees crave rich, well drained soil that mimics a river bottom. If you have heavy clay, mix in organic compost to improve drainage, as Pawpaws hate having "wet feet" or standing in stagnant water.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years of establishment, provide 1 inch of water per week to help the deep taproot settle into its new home. Once mature, the Pawpaw is moderately drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during the summer can cause the fruit to drop prematurely or stay small. Aim for deep soakings rather than frequent light sprinkles to encourage a resilient root system.

Pruning Tips

Pawpaws bloom on one year old wood, so the best time to prune is in late winter while the tree is still dormant. Focus on removing dead wood or "crossing" branches to open up the center for better airflow and light. Think of it like thinning out a crowded room; this ensures every branch has the energy and space to support heavy fruit clusters without snapping.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this encourages tender new growth that will get zapped by the first frost before it has a chance to harden off.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6 Week of March 2nd
Zone 7-12 Week of February 23rd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Great All-Around Choice - NC-1 Pawpaw Tree!

  • Very Sweet & Creamy
  • Yellowish-Green Thin Skin
  • Fantastic Smaller Size
  • Early Ripening Variety
  • Large Fruit
  • High Pulp to Seed
  • Reddish-Purple Bell-Shaped Blooms
  • Butterflies Adore the Blossoms
  • Cold Hardy
  • Lemony Yellow Fall Color
  • Good Production
  • Disease & Insect Resistant
  • Requires Pollinator Plant

The NC-1 Pawpaw (Asimina triloba 'NC-1') is an amazing choice for your garden or landscape, despite its sterile-sounding clinical name. But what makes it a superb Pawpaw is it ripens early, produces a large crop, resists the cold along with insects and disease!

Long before the earliest Europeans came to North America, Native Americans used the Pawpaw as part of the fall diet. Despite being very sweet in flavor and one of the northernmost members of the Custard-Apple family, it has been largely ignored by fruit producers. But that is coming to an end as many backyard gardeners are discovering this delicious and nutritious fruit!

Like many varieties, the NC-1 Pawpaw will give you large, oblong, round fruit with yellow-green skin. The NC-1's yellow flesh is very sweet with a smooth texture and rich flavor of banana, mango, and melon flavor.

Remove the thin skin and blend it into a delicious smoothie. You can also bake many delicious desserts like pies and cakes as well as churn them into fantastic ice cream!

They’re perfect for fresh eating, scooping the creamy yellow flesh right out of the skin, it’s custard-like all on its own - smooth and creamy! The large brown, shiny seeds are easy to remove and feature a high pulp-to-seed ratio.

Filled with tropical green leaves and an exotic look, these are lovely for highlighting your front, side and back yards as well as provide you and your family delicious fruit!

How to Use NC-1 Pawpaw Tree In The Landscape

The NC-1 Pawpaw flowers in the spring with lovely dark red to reddish-purple bell-shaped blossoms. You would be surprised by the number and variety of butterflies this variety attracts!

You will need to grow at least two Pawpaw varieties since they do not self-pollinate. If you want, however, you use a paintbrush and some patience to hand-pollinate yours. Or you can plant these in groupings with other Pawpaw trees, or create hedgerows for privacy and screening!

In addition, the fruit, this tree is delightfully attractive and will make for a wonderful shade tree.

Edible landscaping and dual-purpose landscaping suit these ornamental trees perfectly! Shade, privacy, fruit and a tropical feel from a hardy North American tree - all this and more are features of the versatile Pawpaw!

Remove the lower limbs and expose the trunks to create a great specimen tree with a lovely canopy. The long leaves provide great shade over seating and garden beds. Tuck one at the end of your foundation planting to soften your home’s corner while also adding a tropical finishing touch accent!

#ProPlantTips For Care

Plant in full sun for the largest crops, however, in nature the Pawpaw is an understory tree and can tolerate some shade as well! Plant in all of USDA growing zones 5 through 9, favoring morning sun and afternoon shade in the hottest of those zones.

Since the NC-1 Pawpaw was developed in Ontario, Canada, you can be sure that it will handle the cold that most winters can throw at you. This variety isn't picky about soil type, but try to plant it in well-drained soil with plenty of composted plant material and moisture.

The NC-1 Pawpaw is a good producer, so you can count on a sizable crop year after year. This small tree is not bothered by insects or disease, so no need to spray dangerous pesticides.

It's time to put NC-1 Pawpaw in your cart, along with its partner. Then, sit back and wait for your first delicious harvest of this sweet and delectable fruit! Head over to NatureHills.com today to include this unique American native fruit tree into your landscape before they sell out!

Find Your Garden's Growing Zone!

Your Current Growing Zone:

Zone

ZIP Code:

✓ Growing Zone Set Successfully!

Your zone has been saved and will be used throughout the site.

⚠ Unable to locate a growing zone for that ZIP code.

Please check your ZIP code and try again.

Looking up your growing zone...

When ordering a tree or plant, make sure to know your planting zone.

You can determine your garden's USDA hardiness zone by entering your Zip Code below.