Introducing...
Edible passion flowers
Botanical name: Passiflora
Common name: Passion flower
Some passion flowers are grown for their delicious fruits (passion fruit). Passiflora edulis is the most widely grown.
The giant granadilla (P. quadrangularis) rarely sets fruit outside the tropics but is highly ornamental. You'll need to grow both of these plants in a heated greenhouse or conservatory.
Looks
Passiflora edulis has white flowers followed by egg-shaped, yellow or purple fruits. The fragrant flowers of P. quadrangularis have deep burgundy-coloured petals with very prominent, wavy-ended filaments extending outwards from the open flower.
Likes
Grow these passion flowers in large containers filled with a loam-based potting compost with added drainage and water them well in spring and summer. For reliable fruiting, they need consistent warmth and good light.
Dislikes
Direct sunlight under glass in summer can scorch growth, so plants need lightly shading in hot weather. Low temperatures in winter are not tolerated. Both of these species are tropical plants and dislike a minimum winter temperature below 15°C (59°F).
Did you know?
To ensure fruit set, use a soft paintbrush to transfer pollen from the anthers to the stigma when the flowers open. For the sweetest flavour, the skins of the fruits should be allowed to wrinkle before they are eaten.
Growing guide
How to grow passion flowers
All the information you'll need to grow and care for passion flowers
Passiflora edulis f. edulis (F)
- 4–8 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Passiflora quadrangularis (F)
giant granadilla
- Higher than 12 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Passiflora edulis (F)
purple granadilla
- 4–8 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Passiflora edulis f. edulis (F)
- 4–8 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Passiflora quadrangularis (F)
giant granadilla
- Higher than 12 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Passiflora edulis (F)
purple granadilla
- 4–8 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Useful advice
Aphid predators
Climbers and wall shrubs: pruning established plants
Climbers: training and pruning on planting
Fruit in containers
Get involved
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