Papaya - Oakleaf (Hermaphrodite, Self-Fertile)

Oakleaf Papaya (Vasconcellea quercifolia) is a cold-tolerant relative of the tropical papaya from South America, named for its lobed, oak-shaped leaves. It's fast-growing and deciduous, and with age it forms a thick, sculptural trunk.

Oakleaf papaya plants are normally either male or female, so you'd usually need two to get fruit. Our plants are grown from cuttings of a hermaphrodite tree, which makes every one self-fertile: it will set fruit on its own, with no second plant needed for pollination.

It bears clusters of small, egg-shaped fruit about 3–5 cm long that ripen from green to golden orange. The flesh is sweet, juicy and fragrant, and the whole fruit is edible, skin and seeds included. The seeds add a gentle peppery kick.

Much hardier than tropical papaya, it copes with cooler winters by dropping its leaves and is drought tolerant once established. Plant in full sun in free-draining soil. It usually grows to around 4–6 m but can be kept smaller with pruning.