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Expert tips for planting, nurturing, and enjoying thriving passion fruit vines
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Passion fruit, or Passiflora , is best known for its sweet, juicy seeds. But the plant also produces some spectacular flowers that provide a pop of color to any garden, and have the added bonus of attracting loads of butterflies. In this article, we’ll show you how to start passion fruit plants from seeds or cuttings, then how to transplant, care for, and harvest your very own passion fruit vines.
Things You Should Know
- Soak seeds in water overnight, then plant them in fresh potting soil, waiting 2-3 weeks for them to sprout. Or, grow fresh cuttings in a large pot for 3-4 months.
- Plant passion fruit seedlings in late spring. Space them 6–10 ft (1.8–3.0 m) apart in loose, loamy soil, and provide a nearby trellis for vines to climb.
- Harvest the fruits in March through September. Ripe fruits simply fall off the vine, so gather them off the ground and eat them within 2 days.
Steps
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Gather fresh seeds from a passion fruit and rinse them with water. Freshly harvested passion fruit seeds germinate quickly, but older or store-bought seeds may not grow at all. [1] X Research source Open up a passion fruit and remove at least 6 seed sacs from the inside, then place them in a colander. Under running water, rub the sacs with your fingers until they burst, and rinse away the residue.
- Passion fruits are somewhat difficult to grow from seeds, and can take years to flower and produce fruit this way, so prepare to be patient! Opt to grow your passion fruit from cuttings or seedlings for easier, faster results.
- To increase your chances of success, soak your seeds overnight in a bowl of warm water before planting them.
- If you’re not planting the seeds right away, place the seeds in an airtight plastic bag. Place the bag in the fridge, and plant them within 6 months.
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Plant the seeds 1 in (2.5 cm) deep in a pot of fresh planting soil. Fill a large, 12 in (30 cm) pot or a garden bed with fresh potting soil , then use your thumb to make holes about 1 in (2.5 cm) deep and 3–6 in (7.6–15.2 cm) apart. Then, pop a single seed into each hole, and cover each with soil. [2] X Trustworthy Source EDIS Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles Go to source
- Start your seeds 8 weeks before the last frost in your region to have them mature by planting time. Consult an almanac to find your local frost dates.
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Cover the pot with plastic and keep the soil damp and warm for 2-3 weeks. Passion fruits are tropical plants and need plenty of moisture and water. Poke a few holes in some plastic wrap and cover the pot with it, or cover the pot with a humidity dome . Water the soil and keep it damp, but not flooded, until the seeds sprout above the soil, which could take a few weeks. [3] X Trustworthy Source EDIS Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles Go to source
- Water until the soil is damp to the touch, but doesn’t pool when you poke a hole in the soil with your finger.
- Place the seeds in a warm place, like near a sunny window or in a greenhouse, and try to keep the temperature around the pot at about 85 °F (29 °C).
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Transplant the mature seedlings once they’re about 4 in (10 cm) tall. After a few weeks, your successful seeds will send shoots up from the soil. After another week or 2, once these shoots have at least 2 leaf nodes (or joints on the stem where leaves emerge), it’s time to transplant them to their permanent home! [4] X Trustworthy Source EDIS Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles Go to source
- Keep in mind that passionfruit likes to propagate itself and take up free space. Keep that in mind when it comes to choosing a planting location.
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Take a cutting that’s at least 6 cm (2.4 in) long or has at least 2-3 nodes. In the spring, while the vines are in active growth, choose a mature, healthy passion fruit plant to take a cutting from—your own, a friend’s, or a wild plant will work. With a pair of garden clippers, snip off a portion of the vine that contains at least 2 leaf nodes (the joints on the vine from which leaves emerge), and which is at least 6 cm (2.4 in) long. [5] X Research source Snip at the base of the shoot, and cut at an angle.
- Newer growth is more active, so choose a newer portion of vine (toward the ends) rather than an older portion.
- Trim away all but the topmost leaves and tendrils of the cutting to encourage new growth.
- Place the cutting in a shallow plate of warm water while you set to work preparing a pot for it.
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Plant the cutting in a 6–8 in (15–20 cm) pot with sand and potting soil. Mix together 3 parts potting sand and 1 part potting soil. [6] X Research source Then, dig a hole in the center of the soil, about 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) deep, and place the cutting inside the hole, so that the cut portion faces downward. Cover the bottom portion of the cutting with soil. [7] X Trustworthy Source EDIS Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles Go to source
- To encourage growth, dip the bottom of the cutting in a root hormone before you stick it in the soil.
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Water and keep the cutting in humid conditions for 3-4 months. Passion fruit cuttings are tropical plants, and they grow fairly slowly. Keep the soil damp, but not so wet it’s pooling. Additionally, cover the cutting in a plastic bag (with a several small holes cut into it), a humidity dome, or mist it 2-3 times a day to keep the plant itself moist. [8] X Trustworthy Source EDIS Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles Go to source
- Keep the plant in indirect sunlight (in other words, a bright room, but where the sun doesn’t shine directly on the plant), and keep the area around the plant at about 85 °F (29 °C).
- If you live in a dry area, run a humidifier or place dishes of water-covered gravel around the base of the cutting to mimic the plant’s natural habitat.
- After 3-4 months, the cutting will have grown roots of its own, meaning it’s ready to transplant!
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Construct a trellis in a sunny part of your garden. Survey your garden for a place that receives full sun for 6-8 hours a day, then set aside at least 6–8 sq ft (0.56–0.74 m 2 ) to plant the passion fruit. [9] X Research source Then, build a trellis (or install a store-bought one) that spans 1 edge of the plot. Ideally, construct a trellis about 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) tall, to give the plant plenty of room to climb.
- Alternatively, choose a plot near a wire fence or a porch railing which the vines can climb. This can help make your vine more of a natural fixture in your garden.
- Go ahead and pull any weeds in the plot. Passion fruit vines need their own space, and don’t play well with competition.
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Lay well-draining soil into the plot, and alter the pH to around 6.5-7.5. Passion fruit needs light, deep soil that drains easily and contains plenty of organic material. Dig up the soil in your plot, about 1 ft (0.30 m) deep, and replace it with a sandy, loamy soil mixed with compost. Or, add this mix to a raised garden bed to promote soil drainage. Then, test and adjust the pH of the soil with a soil pH kit. [10] X Research source
- Alternatively, add organic rotten manure, leaf mold, or other green plant waste instead of compost.
- If the soil is especially dense, lighten it by mixing in handfuls of coarse sand. How much to mix depends on the size of your plot, so refer to the instructions on the bag of garden sand.
- Add garden lime or wood ash (according to the instructions on the packaging) to raise the pH of the soil. Add sulfur or compost to lower the pH.
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Transplant each seedling into a large hole in late April or May. Dig a separate, 5–6 in (13–15 cm) large hole for each seedling, with each hole at least 6–10 ft (1.8–3.0 m) apart. Make each hole about twice as wide as the current width of your plant, and dig at least as deep as the container your seedling currently rests in. Remove the seedling from the pot, place it in the hole, then cover the roots with soil. [11] X Research source
- To remove the seedling from its pot, set the pot on its side and gently grip the base of the stalk. Then, slide the seedling out of the pot.
- Handle the roots as little as possible during the transfer. The roots are very sensitive, and if you damage them during the process, you could destroy the plant.
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Add low-nitrogen fertilizer and mulch around the plant. Spread pellet chicken manure or another organic, slow-release fertilizer around the base of the plant to give it a boost of nutrients as it establishes itself. [12] X Research source Opt for a 5-10-10 fertilizer, which is low in nitrogen. Also spread an organic mulch, like straw or wood chips, around the base of the plant to help the roots retain moisture.
- Gently push or dig some of the fertilizer into the top layer of the soil around the plant's base to let all of the roots access it.
- Water the newly planted seedling just enough to moisten the soil, but not so much that pools or bubbles form.
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Keep the soil moist, but don’t flood the plant’s roots. Passion fruit vines need about 1 in (2.5 cm) of water per week, or about 6 US gal (23 L). [13] X Research source Use a watering can or garden hose to gently water the seedlings about once a week, or any time the soil looks dry. Water until the soil is very damp, but do not allow muddy puddles to form, which is a sign that you’ve provided more water than the soil can absorb and drain.
- Planting in raised beds helps promote soil drainage, keeping your passion fruit’s roots well-aerated and preventing diseases like root rot.
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Feed your vines every 4-6 weeks with a general fertilizer. Passion fruit plants are heavy eaters, so sprinkle some all-purpose fertilizer onto their soil about once a month, according to the instructions on the fertilizer’s packaging. Only feed the plants during the spring and summer; they don’t need the nutrients in the winter.
- For even better results, use organic, slow-release fertilizers that are low in nitrogen. Chicken manure pellets are a good option.
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Tie the vines to the trellis with soft plant ties . As the vines become long enough to reach the trellis, train them to climb by tying them to the trellis itself. [14] X Research source Loosely tie the mains stems to the lattice of the trellis every 6–12 in (15–30 cm), working directly up to the top. Then, let the vines grow freely downward.
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Weed as needed, and prune the vines in late February or March. Passion fruit vines can be easily crowded out, so pull any weeds you see immediately. Around March, snip away any excess shoots so the vines are well-spread and don’t have overlapping leaves from other tendrils. Throughout the year, cut away any dead or discolored (yellow or brown) shoots to the main vine to prevent diseases. [15] X Trustworthy Source EDIS Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles Go to source
- Use shears to cut away branches that are below 2 feet (61 cm). Doing so clears away weak, old growth while also improving air circulation around the bottom of the plant.
- Make sure not to snip away the main, largest branch, which is the main source of growth for the vine.
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Propagate and pollinate your plant as blooms form. To make more vines, take cuttings from young shoots with at least 2-3 nodes, and plant them in fresh potting soil. [16] X Trustworthy Source Royal Horticultural Society Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants Go to source Usually, bees handle pollination for you, but to help the bees along and help your vines grow new flowers and fruits:
- Take a small, clean paintbrush and collect the pollen from male flowers (any with pollen). Wipe the collected pollen onto female flowers (those without pollen) using the same brush.
- Alternatively, touch each flower’s stamen (the little stems that grow out of the flowers) with your thumb and index finger as you walk along the rows.
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Add 2 in (5.1 cm) of mulch to protect the plant over winter. If you planted your passion fruit vines in a raise bed, move the bed into a greenhouse around September. Otherwise, cover the roots with a generous layer of mulch to protect them from freezing.
- It helps to plant the vines against a wall, or something that can protect them from cold winds.
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Construct a deer fence to protect the vines from animals. Rabbits and deer are drawn to fruiting vines. Build a deer fence 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) away from the plot to deter them, using chicken wire, deer fencing, or another sturdy material. [17] X Research source
- In addition, keep animals out by spraying coyote spray, or by planting sacrificial plants like hardy, prolific produce like lettuce or strawberries elsewhere in the garden.
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Keep pests away by misting the vines daily, or use organic pesticides. For daily pest prevention, simply spritz the vines with water. [18] X Research source If you do see pests like aphids, mites, or mealybugs, apply food-safe or organic pesticides according to the instructions on the packaging to avoid damaging the plant and to keep the fruits safe for consumption.
- Discourage aphids by sprinkling liquid pesticide or red pepper flakes around the base of the plant.
- Hand-remove any large insect larvae or beetles. Wear gloves, and dispose of the insects in a plastic trash bag.
- Release beneficial garden nematodes into the soil to protect against harmful varieties of nematodes.
- The Gulf fritillary butterfly likes to snack on passionfruit. These start out as orange, spiky caterpillars who eat the leaves. Try to let these guys be if you can. They’re beneficial insects.
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Trim away diseased vines and overcrowded leaves to prevent infections. Use garden shears to prune off any discolored or withered stems, which may be diseased. This also prevents fungal infections. In addition, spray the plant with an herbal fungicide to alleviate any mold spots.
- Prevent cellar rot and root rot by providing adequate soil drainage with sandy soil additions.
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Harvest ripe passion fruit simply by picking it up off the ground. It can take a year to a year and a half before your plant will produce any fruit. But once it does, it’s easy to tell when the fruit is ripe. It’ll just fall! The thick skin protects the insides from damage, so simply gather any fallen fruit and bring them inside to eat. [19] X Trustworthy Source EDIS Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles Go to source
- The vines produce fruit from midsummer through fall (about July-September).
- Collect the fruit within a couple of days after it drops to ensure the best possible quality.
- In addition, pick any fruits that have remained on the vine but have wrinkled skin. They may not be pretty, but they’re still edible.
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Eat the seeds whole, or pulp them out with a juicer. The “fruit” of passion fruit is the jelly-like casings around the seeds. The seeds are edible, so simply split a fruit with a knife , then scoop the seeds out with a spoon to eat. If you’d rather not eat the seeds, use a fruit juicer to extract the juice.
- Alternatively, blend the seed sacs in a blender, then strain them through a bit of cheesecloth to juice the seeds without a commercial juicer.
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Use your passion fruit to make popsicles, mixed drinks, and more. Passion fruit juice is a versatile and endlessly remixable flavor. Pour some juice into ice cube trays with toothpicks sticking out, and freeze them overnight to make cool, sweet popsicles. Or, use the juice in cocktails and other beverages, like a passion fruit martini. [20] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow much humidity is required for a passion flower?Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.A passion flower is a tropical plant so the more humidity the better. Proper watering is important but be sure your soil is well draining. If your climate is dry, water the leaves from above as opposed to as soil level.
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QuestionWhen is the right season to plant passion fruit?Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.Passion fruit planted in the spring will fruit sooner than passion fruit planted in the fall. It may take 6 months to a year for a passion fruit planted in the spring and upwards of 1 year if planted in the fall.
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QuestionHow long does it take to get the fruit?Community AnswerIt takes 18 months, on average,for a new plant. Sometimes, well taken care of plants will bear fruit in approximately one year.
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Tips
- Purple passion flowers are hardier than other varieties, and can be grown in slightly colder climates than other species. Their fruit tastes similar to guava. [21] X Research sourceThanks
- Yellow passion flowers produce the most fruit, which tends to also be the sweetest. These fruits are yellow when ripe. [22] X Research sourceThanks
- Blue passion flowers are also common, and are great for planting in the midwest US, but produce fairly bland fruits. “Damsel’s Delight” passion fruits are similar, but produce larger fruits. [23] X Research sourceThanks
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Things You'll Need
- Ripe passion fruit (if collecting seeds)
- Mature passion fruit plant (if collecting cuttings)
- 12 in (30 cm) pots
- Knife or garden shears
- Plastic bags or humidity domes
- Potting soil
- Potting sand
- Compost
- Shovel or trowel
- Organic pellet fertilizer
- Watering can or garden hose
- Trellis or other support
- Small paintbrush (for pollinating)
- Food-safe pesticide (as needed)
- Fungicide (as needed)
References
- ↑ https://ceventura.ucanr.edu/Com_Ag/Subtropical/Minor_Subtropicals/Passion_Fruit/
- ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1406
- ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1406
- ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1406
- ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/grow-guide-passion-flowers/
- ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-passionflower/#Propagation
- ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1406
- ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1406
- ↑ https://www.dispatch.com/story/lifestyle/2021/09/12/prolific-passionflower-popular-pollinator-boasts-showy-flowers/5716982001/
- ↑ https://ceventura.ucanr.edu/Com_Ag/Subtropical/Minor_Subtropicals/Passion_Fruit/
- ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-passionflower/#Propagation
- ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-passionflower/#Propagation
- ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-passionflower/#Propagation
- ↑ https://horticulture.co.uk/passion-flower/
- ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1406
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/passion-flower/growing-guide
- ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-passionflower/#Propagation
- ↑ https://horticulture.co.uk/passion-flower/
- ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1406
- ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/passionfruit-pornstar-martini
- ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-passionflower/#Species-to-Select
- ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-passionflower/#Species-to-Select
- ↑ https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/article/passion-flower-plant-grow-guide
- ↑ https://www.beaumont.org/health-wellness/blogs/food-of-the-month-passion-fruit
About This Article
Article Summary
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To grow passion fruit, buy a ripe passion fruit and collect at least a half dozen seeds. Spread the seeds out and rub them with your hands until the juice sacs burst open. Then, wash the seeds and allow them to dry for 3-4 days. You can then plant your seeds ½ inch apart in a nursery container filled with compost, topsoil, and coarse sand. Once the seedlings grow to 8-10 inches tall, you can transplant them to your garden. To learn how to grow passion fruit from cuttings, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I have tried using dried seeds, but they all failed to germinate. I now plan to try fresh seeds, as the first fruits have just appeared in town. I am based in Southern Spain, so have great hopes for the passion fruit vine as an alternative to bouganvilleas. The article will steer me in the right direction. " ..." more
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"I have tried using dried seeds, but they all failed to germinate. I now plan to try fresh seeds, as the first fruits have just appeared in town. I am based in Southern Spain, so have great hopes for the passion fruit vine as an alternative to bouganvilleas. The article will steer me in the right direction. "
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"I am trying to propagate a 7-year-old passion fruit. It grew one flower and one fruit with pulp inside. I put it in a pot under the veranda to escape the extreme weather in the area we live in. The cuttings I took should be conditioned for this type of heat and cold."
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"That was so helpful to me, I live on Long Island New York and I am just trying to grow a passion fruit. I already germinated the seeds, so I can wait for spring to transplant them outside in the soil."
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"I had no idea what the requirements of the plants are. I have bought a plant and am going to plant it today. Your information is very helpful, and I am thankful for it."
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"My passion fruit leaves became immature with a yellow color. From this article I understand the problem it is due to cold season and lack of nutrition. Thank you."
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