Passion fruit.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Vine

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

Vine can reach 15-20 feet or more

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Late spring to fall

Entretien

Passion fruit needs a sturdy support structure to climb on and regular pruning to manage its vigorous growth. Watch for signs of pests like aphids or spider mites, and ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, especially when fruiting.

Feeding

Feed regularly during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead wood and encourage fruiting wood.

Repotting

Repot when rootbound, typically every 1-2 years.

Soil

Well-draining, fertile loam

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

10 to 30°C

Humidity

50 to 70%

Drought tolerance

moderate

Lifespan

Perennial in warm climates, often grown as an annual elsewhere.

Fragrance

light

Deer and rabbits

low

Sécurité

People

The leaves and unripe fruit contain cyanogenic glycosides and can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

Pets

Non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

Small children could potentially ingest unripe fruit or leaves, which may cause gastrointestinal upset or more severe symptoms due to cyanogenic glycosides.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience skin irritation from handling the sap or foliage.

Airborne allergens

Pollen can be a respiratory irritant for sensitive individuals, especially when the plant is flowering heavily.

Edibility

While the fruit is edible, ensure it is fully ripe and properly identified to avoid confusion with toxic look-alikes.

Comment l'identifier

• Tender, twining vine
• Deeply lobed, glossy leaves
• Intricate, exotic flowers
• Edible, egg-shaped fruit
• Fast-growing habit

Height

4.5 to 6m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

purple, white, pink, 5 to 7cm

Fruit

purple, yellow, Summer to fall

Problèmes courants

• Aphids — Small, pear-shaped insects that feed on plant sap, causing distorted growth and yellowing leaves.
• Spider Mites — Tiny arachnids that cause stippling on leaves and fine webbing, thriving in hot, dry conditions.
• Leaf Spot Diseases — Fungal or bacterial infections causing spots on leaves, which can lead to defoliation if severe.
• Root Rot — Caused by overwatering and poor drainage, leading to yellowing leaves, wilting, and eventual plant death.

La cultiver

Propagation

cuttings, seed

When to plant

spring

Overwintering

In frost-free areas, it can survive outdoors year-round. In colder climates, bring potted plants indoors before the first frost, providing plenty of light and reducing watering. Established plants in the ground may die back to the roots and resprout in spring if mulched well.

In containers

Can be grown in containers, but needs a large pot (at least 15-20 gallons) and sturdy support for climbing.

Plant passionflower with nitrogen-fixing plants and flowers that attract beneficial insects to support its growth and pest control.

Bonnes associations

• Nasturtium — Nasturtiums can act as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from the passionflower.
• Marigold — Marigolds are thought to deter nematodes in the soil and can add beneficial companion planting dynamics.
• Beans — Beans can fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting the nutrient needs of the passionflower vine.

À éloigner de

• Squash — Vigorous vining plants like squash can compete heavily for space and resources, potentially overwhelming the passionflower.
• Cucumbers — Similar to squash, cucumbers are fast-growing vines that can compete for light, water, and nutrients.

Espèces similaires

• Maypop — Also edible and native to North America, but typically hardier and with a different flower appearance.
• Blue Passionflower — A common ornamental passionflower with beautiful blue-tinged flowers, but its fruit is not typically considered as palatable or widely consumed.

Science

Family

Passifloraceae

Genus

Passiflora

Order

Malpighiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

South America (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina)

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

As a vigorous vine, it uses its tendrils to climb trees and shrubs, seeking sunlight in forest clearings or edges.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant for Gulf Fritillary butterflies

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds

Uses

ornamental, fruit production, culinary

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How much sun does Passiflora edulis need?

It thrives in full sun, needing at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best growth and fruit production.

How often should I water passionflower?

Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during dry periods.

Does passionflower need support to climb?

Yes, it's a vine and needs a trellis, fence, or other structure to climb on.

When does Passiflora edulis fruit?

Fruiting typically occurs from late spring through fall, depending on the climate and variety.

Can I grow passionflower indoors?

Yes, it can be grown indoors in a sunny window, but may require hand-pollination for fruit.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Passiflora was given by European explorers who saw symbolic representations of the Passion of Christ in the flower's structure. 'Edulis' is Latin for 'edible', referring to its fruit.

Bon à savoir

• The name 'Passiflora' comes from Latin, meaning 'passion flower'.
• It's a vigorous climber, capable of growing many feet in a single season.
• The fruit is commonly known as passion fruit.
• It's native to South America, primarily Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.