Life Span
Annual and Perennial
Perennial
Type
Fruit
Shrub
Origin
Mexico, Central America
Madagascar
Types
Male Papaya Tree, Female Papaya Tree, hermaphrodite Tree
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Number of Varieties
208
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
tropical environments, Tropical regions
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-159-13
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
-
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 21, 23, 24
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
457.20 cm90.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
7.62 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Ivory
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Green, Orange, Light Yellow
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Dark Green
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Light Green
Green, Gray Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Irregular
Ovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Very Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand, Well drained
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Do not water frequently, Requires watering in the growing season
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove shoots, Remove short branches, Remove short twigs, Requires little pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
14-14-14 Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought
Flowers
✔
✘
✔
✘
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Ants, Bees, Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds
Allergy
Asthma, breathing problems, Itchiness, Itchy eyes, Red eyes, Runny nose, sneezing, Sore eyes, Swelling, Watery eyes, wheezing
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
-
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Good for skin and hair, Improve hair condition, Making cosmetics
Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Bone strength, Cancer, Diabetes, Digestion problems, Heart problems, Inflammation, Skin Disorders
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Part of Plant Used
Fruits, Seeds
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Cosmetics, Making Shampoo, Used As Food, Used for its medicinal properties
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Tropical
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
CARICA papaya
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
Papaya
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
पपीता
Devil's Backbone
In German
Papaya
Devil's Backbone
In French
Papaye
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
Papaya
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
Παπάγια
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
Mamão
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
Papaja
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
Papaya
Narum diaboli
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Brassicales
Malpighiales
Family
Caricaceae
Crassulaceae
Genus
Carica
Euphorbia
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
Euphorbieae
Subfamily
-
Euphorbioideae
Number of Species
302000
1
27800
👆🏻