Nursery
Mail-order pawpaw specialist; KSU-licensed Benson and Chappell; order in winter for spring shipping.
KSU-Benson Pawpaw
Kentucky State University
KSU-Benson is a Kentucky State University variety, bred by Kentucky State University, early to mid season, ripening September into October.
- Flavor
- Appealing mango, banana and pineapple-like flavor
- Size
- Medium, about 6 oz (180 g), round
- Seed
- Fleshy (~6% seed by weight)
- Ripening
- Early to mid season, ripening September into October
- Productivity
- High-yielding
- Notes
- Creamy-yellow flesh; only about 6.4 percent seed, lower than the Sunflower standard; the second KSU cultivar
What growers say
KSU-Benson pawpaw stands out for an appealing tropical flavor profile, mango, banana and pineapple, with one grower adding rich pumpkin-and-persimmon notes and calling it 'epic.' The round, medium fruit is high-yielding and notably low in seed. The main caveat growers raise is patience: the tree grows slowly. It ripens early to mid-season from September into October.
KSU Benson: Rich pumpkin-persimmon like flavor notes.
KSU Benson is epic but grows slowly.
Where to buy KSU-Benson pawpaw trees
KSU-Benson pawpaw trees ship from 11 nurseries. Of the 10 nurseries PawpawMap checked as of Oct 7, 2026, 2 have them in stock.
- Beautiful Beginnings NurserySold outconfirmed Oct 7, 2026 view listing
- Bob Wells Nursery at Sorelle FarmsIn stockconfirmed Oct 7, 2026 view listing
- Edible LandscapingSold outconfirmed Oct 7, 2026 view listing
- One Green WorldIn stockconfirmed Oct 7, 2026 view listing
- Peaceful Heritage NurserySold outconfirmed Oct 7, 2026 view listing
- Perry PermacultureSold outconfirmed Oct 7, 2026 view listing
- Planting Justice (formerly Rolling River Nursery)Sold outconfirmed Oct 7, 2026 view listing
- Raintree NurserySold outconfirmed Oct 7, 2026 view listing
- Restoring EdenSold outconfirmed Oct 7, 2026 view listing
- Trees of JoySold outconfirmed Oct 7, 2026 view listing
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
Bob Wells Nursery at Sorelle Farms
Ships In stockFive-generation Texas nursery (est. 1941); pawpaw among specialty trees, ships within the US.
Nursery
Edible Landscaping
ShipsGrafted named varieties plus seedlings; plants ship potted year-round; nursery open daily.
Nursery
Grafted pawpaw trees are local pickup only. Also sells pawpaw seeds and scionwood; contact the nursery for what they will mail.
Nursery
Hidden Springs Nursery
ShipsBare-root mail-order ships November to April (dormant); pre-orders open ahead of the shipping window.
Pricing$25 to $26
Nursery
One Green World
Ships In stockShips to all 50 states; many varieties sell by email announcement rather than open stock; retail yard open daily.
Nursery
Kentucky-grown grafted trees, seedlings, seed, and scionwood; licensed to propagate KSU cultivars.
Nursery
Perry Permaculture
Ships In stockGrafted pawpaw trees ship in fall (~October); one of two MI Peterson-pawpaw licensees.
Nursery
Operates the former Rolling River Nursery; around 25 pawpaw varieties; ships nationwide.
PricingSeedlings $18
Nursery
Raintree Nursery
ShipsMail-order bare-root and potted stock; 18+ pawpaw varieties in a dedicated category.
Nursery
Restoring Eden
Ships In stockNursery and garden center; pawpaw among berries, exotics, and cold-hardy citrus; ships plants year-round.
Nursery
Grafted Peterson/KSU trees; sells out fast each season.
PricingGrafted trees $45
Nursery
Trees of Joy
Ships In stockGrafted pawpaw available late April; ships trees, seeds, and fresh-pawpaw boxes nationwide.
Nursery
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
Kentucky State University
KSU-Atwood
Rich, sweet, banana-like flavor
Kentucky State University
KSU-Chappell
Creamy, sweet, mild banana-pineapple flavor with floral notes
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