Does it need a trellis?

Yes, it is a vigorous climber that requires a sturdy support system.

How do I know when to harvest?

The fruit is ready when it turns deep purple or yellow and feels slightly heavy for its size.

Plant guide

Passion Fruit.

Passiflora edulis

Pronounced pass-ih-FLOR-uh ED-yoo-liss

Also known as Passion Fruit, Passionfruit, Purple granadilla, Purple passionfruit, Black passion fruit, Purple granadilla, common passionfruit

Passion fruit is a vigorous, climbing vine that produces beautiful, intricate flowers and delicious, tart fruit. It thrives in warm climates where it can spread across a sturdy trellis. You will love watching the unique blooms appear before the fruit develops.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Evergreen vine
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 5 days
Mature size: 6 to 10 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Mid spring to early autumn

Care

Provide a strong support structure for this vine to climb and ensure it gets plenty of warmth. Keep an eye out for pests like aphids or spider mites, especially on new growth. Consistent moisture is key, but make sure the soil drains well to prevent root issues.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: Use a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune back after the harvest to maintain size and encourage new growth.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Well draining, fertile, loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 7 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The leaves and stems contain compounds that can be harmful if ingested in large quantities.
Pets: The foliage and stems can be toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in large quantities.
Children: The fruit seeds pose a minor choking hazard to very small children.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen can trigger allergic reactions in some people during the peak flowering season.
Edibility: Only the ripe pulp of the fruit is commonly consumed, as other parts of the plant may contain cyanogenic glycosides.

How to identify it

Three lobed, glossy green leaves
Intricate, fringed white and purple flowers
Oval fruits turning purple or yellow
Strong, woody climbing tendrils

Height: 4.5 to 6m
Spread: 2 to 4m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, purple, 5 to 8cm
Fruit: purple, yellow, Late summer to winter

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Root RotCommon
CaterpillarsUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon
ThripsUncommon
Powdery MildewRare

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: In cooler climates, move the container indoors to a bright, frost free location. Reduce watering significantly during the dormant winter months.
In containers: It grows well in large pots of at least 40 liters, provided it has a strong trellis.

Stem cuttings

1. Take a 15 cm cutting from healthy, non flowering growth.
2. Remove the lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a moist, well draining potting mix.
4. Cover with a clear bag to maintain high humidity.
5. Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Plant low growing herbs at the base to keep the roots cool while the vine climbs toward the sun.

Grows well with

Nasturtium — It acts as a trap crop for aphids that might otherwise target the vine.
Basil — This herb grows well in the same warm, sunny conditions.

Similar species

Blue Passion Flower — A hardier relative often grown for its striking blue and white flowers.

Science

Family: Passifloraceae
Genus: Passiflora
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical regions of South America
Conservation: Not of conservation concern as it is widely cultivated in tropical regions.

It thrives in warm, humid environments by climbing over other vegetation to reach sunlight.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental vine, culinary fruit, juice production

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Nutrients: 7/9
Moisture: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a trellis?: Yes, it is a vigorous climber that requires a sturdy support system.
How do I know when to harvest?: The fruit is ready when it turns deep purple or yellow and feels slightly heavy for its size.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Passiflora comes from the Latin passio meaning passion, while edulis means edible.

Good to know

Passion fruit is a powerhouse of vitamins A and C.
The flowers are self fertile but benefit from bee activity.
This vine can grow up to 20 feet in a single season under ideal conditions.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.