Dwarf pawpaw
Asimina parviflora
Last reviewed: August 2026

Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
36"–120" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr
Native to
AL, AR, FL, GA and 6 more states
Pollinators
flies, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaMulti-stemmed understory shrub with large drooping leaves and small maroon flowers that appear before the leaves in early spring. Found in sandy woodlands and forested hammocks.
Wildlife value
Host plant for zebra swallowtail.
The exclusive larval host plant for the zebra swallowtail butterfly; produces edible fruit valued by wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does Dwarf pawpaw need?
- Dwarf pawpaw grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Dwarf pawpaw bloom?
- Dwarf pawpaw blooms in March and April.
- Where is Dwarf pawpaw native?
- Dwarf pawpaw (Asimina parviflora) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 6 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What butterflies or moths does Dwarf pawpaw host?
- Dwarf pawpaw is a larval host plant for zebra swallowtail.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Dwarf pawpaw? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz