close-up view of a passionflower with a green center with many protrusions surrounded by fringed petals that are purple closer to the center then fading to white, with blurred green background

How To Grow Passion Fruit Plants

Updated on Mar 18, 2024
By Baillie Blankenship

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is a tropical vining plant native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. Passionflower, also known as passion fruit, produces stunning, intricate flowers and sweet fruit. Passiflora edulis is hardy in zones 9-11.

HISTORY

The passion fruit flower is the official national flower of Paraguay, and hip-hop musician Drake's chart-topping single "Passionfruit" was released in 2017. The origin of the name, however, dates back to the 16th century, when missionaries in Brazil named its five-petaled blossom flor das cinco chagas ("flower of the five wounds") and used it to illustrate the passion of Christ.

USES

  • Fruits are great for fresh eating, juicing, jellies, and other desserts.
  • Flowers are also used as an herbal tea.
Five small round passion fruits in varying shades of green and brownish-green with a darker reddish fruit on top on a medium grey background.Five small round passion fruits in varying shades of green and brownish-green with a darker reddish fruit on top on a medium grey background.

 

  • Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil.
  • Provide a trellis for the vines to climb.
  • Amend growing site with compost.
  • Plant after all chances of frost have passed.
  • In temperate climates you may choose to grow in a hanging pot so plants can be brought in when the weather begins to cool.
  • Space plants 5-10 feet apart or one plant per pot.
Two small passion fruit plants in cubes of soil; one is upright, the other is horizontal on a white table with a pale blue background. Several coins are scattered and stacked in front of the dirtTwo small passion fruit plants in cubes of soil; one is upright, the other is horizontal on a white table with a pale blue background. Several coins are scattered and stacked in front of the dirt

 

  • Keep well watered but not waterlogged.
  • Fertilize with a high potassium fertilizer.
  • Passionfruit typically ripen about 80 days after flowering.
  • Prune back old growth in the spring.
SMall green plant in tiny blue and white glass cup against a pale background, with several coins stacked in front of the foot of the cup.SMall green plant in tiny blue and white glass cup against a pale background, with several coins stacked in front of the foot of the cup.

 

  • Propagate through a cutting or seed.
  • To save seed, scoop out the flesh of a mature fruit and let it ferment for a few days.
  • Rinse and dry seeds. Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark place until next season.
  • When propagating by cutting, take cuts from the newer but mature growth. You want it to be about as thick as a pencil.
  • Take 6-8 inch cuttings with multiple nodes.
  • Leave one leaf and node above the soil and bury 1-2 nodes.
  • Maintain moist soil and keep in a warm area until you are ready to plant.
Golfball-sized bright green fruits, one cut open to reveal bright yellow flesh with large dark seeds, on a grey background.Golfball-sized bright green fruits, one cut open to reveal bright yellow flesh with large dark seeds, on a grey background.