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Family
Passifloraceae
Botanical Name
Passiflora edulis
Plant Common Name
Edible-fruited Passionflower, Passionfruit
General Description
Passionfruit is an evergreen, perennial vine native to southern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. It is the source of commercial passionfruit fruit for juice, jams and the fresh market. Plantations for the large, vigorous, productive vines exist throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide including Brazil, Columbia, Australia and Hawaii. There are several different forms that differ in fruit qualities. These include the yellow-fruited f. flavicarpa and sweet-fruited f. edulis.
The dark green, glossy, lobed leaves of this passionfruit are arranged alternately on angular stems. Tendrils extend from the leaf axils (joint between the leaves and stems), helping the plants to climb. Beautiful flowers appear most abundantly in summer, but a few will pop-up year round in warm climates. The complex flowers are composed of white fleshy reproductive structures surrounded by a fringe of white-topped, lavender to purple filaments and many white to slightly lavender petals. The blooms are naturally pollinated by carpenter bees. The fruit ripens mostly in the fall and winter and is egg-shaped. Fruit color may be purple, yellow, yellow-green or orange and the sweet, seedy, sweet pulp inside is also variable in color.
Passionflower is an aggressive vine and will quickly cover structures or other plants. It must be supported or trellised for fruit production. It prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade for a short portion of the day. Well-drained soil is required; it is drought tolerant but fruit production is best with regular watering. This passionfruit is frost sensitive. Grow it in containers where not hardy.
This passionfruit is the larval food for several butterfly species. The caterpillars may cause the leaves to look a little tattered and chewed, but the damage is generally nothing to worry about.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Fruit
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
10'-25' / 3.0m - 7.6m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Indeterminate
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Native To
South America
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Vining/Climbing
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Rock Garden / Wall, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical, Vine
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
