About
An evergreen climber to 6m, with 5-lobed leaves and bowl-shaped, deep reddish-purple flowers to 12cm across, coronal filaments deep violet with white tips; fruits ovoid, green, often sterile. Unripe fruit is toxic. The pulp in the fruits only can be eaten when they are fully ripe and yellow-orange.
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 typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Climber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
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
CultivationUnder glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost such as John Innes No. 3 in full light with shade from hot sun. Water freely when in growth and sparingly in winter. Well suited for a conservatory. May be grown outdoors in most fertile, moist but well-drained soils in mild areas. Hardy to about -1°C, an excellent drainage is essential, but best grown under cover. Provide support for climbing stems and shelter from cold, drying winds
PruningPruning group 11 or pruning group 12 in early spring
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 13 to 18°C in spring or root semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. Layering can be carried out 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