How to Grow a Papaya Plant
Papaya seeds saved from a ripe fruit germinate readily and grow quickly, making this one of the more rewarding kitchen-scrap plants to start.
Preparing and Planting Seeds
Rinse the gelatinous coating off fresh papaya seeds and let them air dry for a day, which improves germination compared to planting them straight from the fruit. Plant several seeds about half an inch deep in well-draining potting soil, since papaya plants can be male, female, or bisexual, and germination rates vary.
Keep the soil warm and consistently moist — seeds typically sprout within two to three weeks.
Papaya plants grow remarkably fast and dislike having their roots disturbed — start seeds directly in a good-sized pot to avoid a stressful transplant later.
Growing It On
Papaya is a true tropical plant with zero frost tolerance, so it needs to stay indoors or move inside well before cold weather in most climates. Even with excellent care, fruiting typically only happens in genuinely warm, frost-free regions with room for the plant to reach its full mature size.
