About
Free-flowering, perfumed, large, pure white flowers, up to 12cm across, with a hint of apple green at the edges of the tepals and purple stigmas, are produced from spring and remain open for several days, sometimes followed by yellow-orange fruit. Vigorous, evergreen climber to 3m or more, with twining tendrils and 3- or 5-lobed, dark green leaves. The pulp in the fruits only can be eaten when they are fully ripe and yellow-orange. Unripe fruit is toxic.
About the genus
Passiflora are mostly tender tendril-climbing shrubs, with simple or palmately-lobed, generally evergreen leaves and showy flowers of distinctive structure with often colourful coronal filaments, followed by conspicuous fruits, edible in some species
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClimbing
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical
FragranceFlower
ToxicityFruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationFast-growing climber for a warm position in a sunny and sheltered position; thrives in a well-drained soil. In cold areas, grow in a container and overwinter indoors. See passion flower cultivation
PruningPruning group 11 or pruning group 12
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or by layering in spring or autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and a virus