Papaya Variety Comparison Guide
by Paramount Seeds on Aug 20 2026
Choosing the right papaya variety depends on your growing environment, target market, and logistics. Use this table to compare our most popular varieties side by side.
Not sure where to start? Read our Papaya Production: Varieties, Cultivation, and Harvest guide for a full overview of growing conditions, or see our PRSV Grower's Guide if disease tolerance is a key factor in your selection.
Variety Comparison
| Variety | Fruit Weight | Flesh Color | PRSV Tolerance | Harvest Time | Shipping | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Lady 786 F1 | 1.5–2.0 kg | Deep red | ✅ High | ~9 months | ✅ Excellent | Commercial export |
| Red Nemesis F1 | 1.5–2.1 kg | Deep red | ✅ High | — | ✅ Good | High-density, semi-dwarf |
| Red Maradol F1 | 1.5–2.0 kg | Red | ✅ High | ~9 months | ✅ Good | Commercial, Taiwan origin |
| Red Matador F1 | 1.5–2.5 kg | Deep red | — | — | ✅ Excellent | Export, uniform yield |
| Improved Red Maradol F1 | ~2.0 kg | Red | ❌ None | — | ✅ Excellent | Large fruit, export |
| Bella F1 | 1.5–1.75 kg | Red/pink | ✅ High | — | ✅ Good | High yield, uniform crop |
| Tainung #1 F1 | ~1.1 kg | Red | — | — | ✅ Excellent | Long-distance shipping |
| Tainung #2 F1 | ~1.1 kg | Orange-red | — | — | ⚠️ Local only | Local markets, sweeter |
| Golden Solo Sunrise F1 | — | Golden yellow | ❌ None | — | ✅ Excellent | High volume, export |
| Taiwan Solo Sunrise | 400–500 g | Red/pink | ❌ None | — | ✅ Excellent | Export, small fruit |
| Original Solo Sunset F1 | ~425 g | Red/pink | ❌ None | — | ✅ Good | Premium fresh, single-serve |
| Improved Solo Sunrise F1 | 525–565 g | — | ⚠️ Mild | — | ✅ Good | Improved Sunrise, uniform |
| Linda F1 | 500–525 g | Pink | ❌ None | — | ✅ Good | Fresh market, sweet |
| Waimanolo X77 F1 | ~680 g | Orange | ⚠️ Many diseases | — | — | Humid climates, local |
| Formosa F1 | 2.0–2.3 kg | Orange | ✅ High | ~8 months | ✅ Good | Large fruit, Taiwan |
— = data not specified. PRSV = Papaya Ring Spot Virus. ✅ = tolerant/good. ⚠️ = partial. ❌ = none.
Further Reading
- Papaya Ring Spot Virus (PRSV): A Grower’s Knowledge Base Guide — understand PRSV pressure and how to manage it in your operation
- Papaya Sex Ratios: Male, Female, and Hermaphrodite Plants Explained — plan your thinning strategy based on variety sex ratios
- Papaya Production: Varieties, Cultivation, and Harvest — full production guide from seed to harvest
- Variety Spotlight: Red Nemesis F1 Papaya — deep dive into our most popular PRSV-tolerant semi-dwarf variety
- Red Lady 786 F1 Papaya: A Variety Guide — the world’s most widely grown commercial papaya variety
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