The passion plant, a vigorous member of the Passifloraceae family that contains over 500 species, is a perennial vine grown in tropical and subtropical locales all around the world. Producing stunning, colorful flowers along its 12-foot-long vine as well as aromatic fruit used in jellies, pies and juices, this plant is a useful, attractive garden addition in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10. The most widely grown species, Passiflora edulis, includes both the standard purple variety and a yellow variety (Passiflora edulis flavicarpa), also known as golden passion fruit. Yellow passion fruit vines will not accept the pollen of the purple variety, and the pair do not typically produce flowers at the same time, so they can grow side by side without unwanted cross pollination.
Choose healthy young vines for planting including at least two yellow vines for pollination purposes.
Plant passion fruit vines in early spring in an sunny area with wind protection and sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Dig holes 10 to 15 feet apart along a fence or strong, reinforced trellis so that the vines can grow either horizontally or vertically. Plants can also be trained to grow up tall trees, which provide wind protection.
Cover the base of each plant with soil and water each plant thoroughly. Water frequently throughout the year, keeping the soil moist, but well drained.
Fertilize the plants four times each year with 3 pounds of 10-5-20 balanced fertilizer. Apply fertilizer once after winter pruning, in the spring, at midsummer and late in the summer, watering heavily after each application.
Train vines to grow together along their support structures. Tie young stems to the support structures with cloth ties.
Encourage carpenter bees to pollinate plants by placing hollow, decayed logs and other wooden objects near the vines when they are flowering. Hand pollinate the flowers if bees are in short supply.
Harvest the fruit of purple vines early in the summer, when the fruit turns dark purple or drops off the vine and of yellow vines periodically throughout the summer.
Prune plants in the dormant winter season, or just after the first harvest, if winters are mild. Prune back to healthy stems, removing all dead and diseased wood.
Things You Will Need
- Purple and yellow passion plants
- Trellis or fence
- Hand trowel
- Cloth ties
- Decayed logs
- Pruning shears
- Propagate from seed, transferring seedlings outdoors at no less than 10 inches tall. Cuttings root well only in misty conditions.
- Replant after three to five years, when plants stop producing fruit.
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