Potomac Pawpaw

Peterson Pawpaws

Potomac is a Peterson Pawpaws variety, bred by Neal Peterson, mid to late season, ripening in late summer to early fall.

Flavor
Sweet and smooth with a rich taste
Size
Very large, about 8.3 oz (235 g), up to 12 oz (340 g)
Seed
Very fleshy (~4% seed by weight)
Ripening
Mid to late season, ripening in late summer to early fall
Productivity
Productive
Notes
Yellow flesh with a firm, smooth texture; among the largest-fruited pawpaws

What growers say

Potomac pawpaw is a sister selection to Susquehanna and shares its appeal for size and richness, with very large fruit, smooth yellow flesh and a sweet taste. Growers group it with the late, very-good-tasting varieties, one pairing it with Tropical Treat as 'late, but very good tasting.' Among the largest-fruited pawpaws, it ripens mid to late season from late summer into early fall.

11-13, which is a BEF53 seedling and sibling of Susquehanna and Potomac, although 11-13, Potomac, and Susquehanna all share the female parent BEF53.

Source

Tropical Treat and Potomac are late, but very good tasting.

Source

Drawn from grower discussions on growingfruit.org

Where to buy Potomac pawpaw trees

Potomac pawpaw trees ship from 13 nurseries; 2 of the 8 PawpawMap confirmed have them in stock as of Aug 9, 2026.

Each line shows the date PawpawMap last confirmed that seller's stock. Spot a listing that is wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Nursery Ships

Edible Landscaping

Afton, VA

Grafted named varieties (sold out) plus Select seedling in stock; orders ship in ~2 weeks.

Nursery Ships

England's Orchard and Nursery

McKee, KY

Grafted pawpaw trees are local pickup only; pawpaw seeds and scionwood available by mail.

Online Ships

Fruitwood Nursery

Orleans, CA

Family permaculture nursery on the Klamath River; mail-orders roughly 39 named pawpaw scionwood cultivars (Mango, Davis, Lehmans Choice, Potomac, Susquehanna and more) with live stock counts.

Nursery Ships

Logee's

Danielson, CT

Mail-order since 1892.

Nursery Ships

One Green World

Portland, OR

Ships seeds and plants to all 50 states; pawpaw varieties currently on email-when-available pre-order.

Online Ships

Park Seed

Greenwood, SC

Mail-order/ecommerce since 1868.

Nursery Ships

Peaceful Heritage Nursery

Stanford, KY

Grafted KSU pawpaws + seedlings; most varieties sold out, KSU Pomper's Choice due June 2026; VIP waitlist offered.

Nursery Ships

Perry Permaculture

Perry, MI

Grafted pawpaw trees ship in fall (~October); one of two MI Peterson-pawpaw licensees.

Nursery Ships

Raintree Nursery

Morton, WA

Mail-order bare-root/potted; 18+ pawpaw varieties priced, currently sold out.

Nursery Ships

Restoring Eden

SeaTac, WA

Ships plants year-round; current winter retail hours.

Nursery

Sleepy Gap Pawpaws

Arden, NC

Grafted Peterson/KSU trees; sells out fast each season.

PricingGrafted trees $45

Nursery Ships

West Farm Nursery

Branchburg, NJ

Grafted Peterson and KSU pawpaw cultivars, pickup from mid-June; some trees sold or shipped via eBay; hosts NOFA-NJ workshops.

Pricing$110 to $160

Related cultivars

Peterson Pawpaws

Shenandoah

Mid season, ripening in September

Mild, sweet and mellow with a custardy texture; an easy introduction to pawpaw for new tasters

Peterson Pawpaws

Susquehanna

Late season

Rich and very sweet with a firm, almost buttery texture and a strong pawpaw character

Peterson Pawpaws

Wabash

Mid season, ripening in late summer to early fall

Sweet with excellent, complex flavor

Peterson Pawpaws

Allegheny

Early to mid season, ripening in late summer, earlier than most pawpaws

Sweet, creamy banana-custard flavor with a hint of citrus

Peterson Pawpaws

Rappahannock

Early to mid season, ripening September into October

Sweet and refreshing with a simple, not-too-strong character

Peterson Pawpaws

Tallahatchie

Mid to late season, ripening mid to late September in Maryland

Sweet with a well-balanced, complex flavor, a pleasant aroma and floral notes

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