Passiflora Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 26th Nov 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Passiflora plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

Passion Flower, Passion Vine, Granadilla, & Maracuja: Cultivation & Garden Use

Passiflora are hardy or half hardy perennial vines that can reach from 4.5 to 9 m (14 to 28 feet) in height.

They carry beautiful flowers of white and purple. These bloom from late summer to early autumn.

Passiflora incarnata by ggallic.

Some members of Passiflora plant genus also carry attractive egg shaped fruits in the autumn.

Some of the common names for members of the Passiflora genus include Passion Flower, Maypop, and Granadilla.

Commonly Grown Passiflora Species Photographs and Plant Identification

Passiflora caerulea

Passiflora caerulea (Blue Passionflower / Common Passion Flower), photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.

Passiflora incarnata

Passiflora incarnata (Maypop / Purple Passionflower / Wild apricot), photograph by Pick him!; CC.

Passiflora edulis

Passiflora edulis (Passion Fruit), photograph by Dick Culbert; CC.

Passiflora ligularis

Passiflora ligularis (Sweet Granadilla / Grenadia), photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.

Passiflora lutea

Passiflora lutea (Yellow Passionflower), photograph by Fritz Flohr Reynolds; CC.

Passiflora quadrangularis

Passiflora quadrangularis (Giant Granadilla / Giant Tumbo), photograph by 阿橋 HQ; CC.

How to Grow Passion Flower

It is probably easiest to grow passion flower and other Passiflora members from cuttings, these can be taken in spring or autumn.

If you prefer to grow from seeds, then be aware that they can take up to a year to germinate (if at all).

The seeds should be soaked for a day, sown into flats, and maintained at about 27 degrees Centigrade (81°F) in the greenhouse.

Once ready, transplant seedlings or cuttings into the garden in mid spring, well after the last chance of frost. Space at about 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet) apart.

As Passiflora are vines that reach a great height, they will require a trellis to grow on.

Passion flowers are able to grow in both sunny or partially shaded parts of the garden.

It is very important that the soil that they grow in is deep and moist; it should be fairly rich.

Caring for Passiflora

To look after passion flowers, they should be regularly watered. After three years of growth you can start to prune back the Passiflora vines to make the plant more attractive.

Decayed branches should be pruned, and side shoots cut back to be about 15 cm (6 inches) long. This can be done either at the start of spring or in the autumn.

Common Questions

How many members does the Passiflora genus contain?

The Passiflora genus, the Passion flowers, contains about 550 species.

Do Passiflora members make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, Passiflora are excellent choices for gardens due to their beautiful, intricate flowers and vigorous climbing habit.

Which Passiflora species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

The species Passiflora caerulea, commonly known as the Blue Passion Flower, is particularly popular among gardeners.

Are Passiflora plants fragrant?

Many Passiflora species produce fragrant flowers, making them a delightful addition to any garden.

What is the perfect location to grow Passiflora?

Passion flowers enjoy full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. They require a trellis or other support to climb.

Is Passiflora invasive in the USA, if so in which states?

Certain Passiflora species are considered invasive in some parts of the USA, particularly Florida and Texas.

How do I remove Passiflora plants from my garden?

Passiflora can be removed by cutting back the vines and digging out the roots. Repeated removal may be necessary to eliminate them.

Summary

The Passiflora plant genus, belonging to the Passifloraceae family, encompasses a wide variety of perennial and annual vines, known as passion flowers or passion vines. They are famed for their intricate, exotic-looking flowers and edible fruit.

Passiflora plants thrive in sunny to partially shaded locations and prefer fertile, well-drained soil. Generally, they are planted in spring. Passion vines can be a standout feature in gardens, whether grown on trellises, arbors, fences, or used as ground cover.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Passiflora plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Balloon Flower, Aster plant, Clematis plant, and Begonia grandis plants.