Maria’s Joy Paw Paw

Asimina triloba ‘Maria’s Joy’

Bred by Jerry Lehman of Terre Haute, Indiana, Maria’s Joy Pawpaw is a award-winning variety with delectable, banana-like flavor. Named in tribute to their friend and guide, Maria Plekhanovna, each fruit can reach up to 1 pound and typically weigh 8-14 ounces. Its medium-to-large, kidney-shaped yellow flesh is known to be exceptionally sweet and flavorful, leading one well-known fruit author to declare it the best tasting pawpaw he had ever tasted. In 2012, Maria’s Joy won the Ohio Pawpaw Festival’s “Biggest Pawpaw Contest”. Annual crops are ample. Since this is a variety bred in the North, chill hour requirements are probably on the high end of standard.

Mid-late to ripen; not for growers in short or cool summer areas. Establishes more easily than many varieties! Hand pollination will increase fruit set, alternatively, adding a small pile of decaying meat to the base of each tree just before blooms open will bring in the flies and beetles that pollinate these unusual trees. Shade from direct sun during first 2 summers – even mature trees may benefit from afternoon shade in hot climates. Also protect young trees from slug and snail damage. Requires at least 2200 Growing Degree Days (GDD) to set and ripen fruit.

Cold Hardy to USDA Zone: 5

Chill Hours Needed: Unverified; most require between 400-800 hours at 32F-45F

Mature Height: 10′-15′

Sun: Full Sun to Part Shade in Hot Climates

Ripening Time: Late/Fall

Pollination: Need Different Variety as a Pollinizer

Click here to read our Paw Paw Growing Guide