The papaya thrives best under warm conditions
with abundant rainfall or irrigation. It cannot tolerate
strong winds, flooding, or frosts, and it recuperates
very slowly if it has sustained considerable leaf or root
injury. Temperatures of 30°F or lower usually cause
severe damage or death.
The papaya is a tropical and near-tropical species, very sensitive to frost and limited to the region between 32º north and 32º south of the Equator. It needs plentiful rainfall or irrigation but must have good drainage. Flooding for 48 hours is fatal. Brief exposure to 32º F (-0.56º C) is damaging; prolonged cold without overhead sprinkling will kill the plants.