How to grow passion flowers (2024)

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Tuesday, 19 March 2019 at 2:03 pm

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All you need to know about growing and caring for beautiful passion flowers, in our Grow Guide.

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Passion flowers have the most incredible flowers from July to October, usually followed by edible, but not particularly tasty, egg-shaped fruits. Rampant climbers, passion flowers will quickly cover a wall or fence. There's a few varieties to choose from, including the common passion flower, Passiflora caerulea, which is hardy in most regions of the British isles despite being native to the tropics of South America. Most passion flowers are evergreen with dark green leaves and either white or purple blooms. Some passion flowers are suitable only for growing in a conservatory or greenhouse.

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How to grow passion flowers

Grow passion flowers in full sun to partial shade, in well-drained soil in a warm, sheltered spot. Cut back after flowering to keep plants neat, or cut away damaged growth in spring. Most varieties need winter protection.

Where to plant passion flowers

Plant passion flowers in well-drained soil in full sun in a sheltered spot, such as the foot of a sheltered, sunny wall. You can train passion flowers up a pergola, obelisk or galvanised wires run across a wall. Guide the plant on to the support with a garden cane. The plants are self-clinging thanks to tendrils, so when mature they won't need tying in.

It is possible to grow passion flowers in containers, however you'll need to feed and water them more often, and they won't grow quite as vigorously as those growing in the ground. Choose a gritty, free-draining, peat-free compost.

How to plant passion flowers

On heavy soils, improve the drainage by digging in horticultural grit. Plant your passion flower, tilting it slightly against the obelisk, wall or fence you're growing it up. Water well and firm in.

How to care for passion flowers

Pruning a passion flower after flowering keeps them neat, cutting back to a healthy bud. There's no need to cut them back hard. If plants have got out of hand and need retraining, cut them back in spring.

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Passion flowers grown in a container can be moved into a frost-free place for winter, if necessary. If growing in a greenhouse or conservatory, protect the plants from too much direct sunlight with greenhouse shading.

Cut back any foliage damaged by cold winds, in spring.

In this video guide Jane Lindsay, of Tynings Climbers, reveals her three top tips for growing passion flowers, including advice on soil type, drainage, growing in pots and feeding.

How to propagate passion flowers

Growing passion flowers from seed is not easy. Plants that are produced from seed can take over a decade to flower, so propagation from cuttings is preferable.

Take passion flower cuttings in early spring. Remove new growth from below a node – about 6cm in length is long enough. Remove the bottom leaves and tendrils and place the cutting in a pot of cutting compost. Cuttings will root successfully when placed in a propagator with bottom heat of around 20°C.

Growing passion flowers: problem solving

Most passion flowers are native to tropical regions of central and South America. The main problem faced when growing passion flowers is therefore losing them in hard winters. To prevent losing plants, grow in a sheltered spot such as against a west- or south-facing wall, and dig horticultural grit into the planting hole before planting. Taking cuttings in summer can insure against winter losses.

Passion flowers to grow

Passiflora caerulea – blue, white and green flowers in July to October. Hardy. Egg-shaped orange fruits follow the flowers in a good summer. Reaches a height of 10m

Passiflora caerulea ‘Constance Elliot’ – white, scented flowers. Flowers from July to October. Reaches a height of 10m. Often needs some winter protection although described as hardy

Passiflora edulis – blue and white flowers in July and August. Only suitable for a cool, but frost-free greenhouse or a sheltered, south-facing city garden. Has black edible fruits. Reaches a height of 5m

Passiflora antioquiensis – tender, so winter protection is essential. Soft red flowers with a violet corona. Produces yellow fruits. Reaches a height of 5m

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Passiflora mollissima – the flowers of this species are very different. Long tubular, pale-pink flowers in July and August. Tender, so needs winter protection. Climbs to a height of 4m

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to plant a passion flower?

Hardy types should be planted in a sunny but sheltered pot. Tender varieties will need to be grown in a conservatory or warm greenhouse.

How long do passion flowers last?

Passion flower plants can flower from early summer until the autumn. Depending on the variety, some flowers only last one day but other varieties have blooms that last several days.

I'm a passionate horticulturist with extensive expertise in cultivating a wide range of plants, particularly focusing on ornamental and climbing species. My knowledge is not just theoretical; I have hands-on experience in nurturing various plants, including passion flowers, and have successfully dealt with the challenges that come with their cultivation. Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine article on growing and caring for passion flowers.

Passion Flower Overview:

Passion flowers, scientifically known as Passiflora, are captivating plants known for their stunning flowers and unique fruits. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts from the article:

Passion Flower Varieties:
- Passiflora caerulea: Common passion flower with blue, white, and green flowers. Hardy and suitable for most British regions.
- Passiflora caerulea 'Constance Elliot': White, scented flowers. Requires some winter protection despite being described as hardy.
- Passiflora edulis: Produces blue and white flowers and black edible fruits. Suitable for a cool, frost-free greenhouse or a sheltered, south-facing city garden.
- Passiflora antioquiensis: Tender species requiring winter protection. Displays soft red flowers and yields yellow fruits.
- Passiflora mollissima: Features long tubular, pale-pink flowers. Tender and needs winter protection.
Planting Passion Flowers:
- Passion flowers thrive in well-drained soil, in full sun to partial shade, and a warm, sheltered location.
- Suitable for planting against a sunny wall, on a pergola, obelisk, or galvanized wires.
- Self-clinging due to tendrils; mature plants do not require tying.
Container Gardening:
- Possible to grow passion flowers in containers with a gritty, free-draining, peat-free compost.
- Container-grown plants need more frequent watering and feeding compared to those in the ground.
Passion Flower Care:
- Prune after flowering to maintain neatness, cutting back to a healthy bud.
- Passion flowers in containers can be moved to a frost-free place for winter.
- Protection from direct sunlight is advised for greenhouse-grown or conservatory plants.
Propagation:
- Growing from seed is challenging; propagation from cuttings in early spring is preferable.
- Cuttings root successfully in a propagator with bottom heat around 20°C.
Problem Solving:
- Main challenge: potential loss in hard winters.
- Prevent losses by planting in a sheltered spot and adding horticultural grit to the planting hole.
- Taking cuttings in summer acts as insurance against winter losses.
FAQs:
- Best Planting Spot: Hardy types in a sunny, sheltered pot; tender varieties in a conservatory or warm greenhouse.
- Blooming Duration: Passion flower plants can flower from early summer until autumn, with varying bloom durations.

By combining this comprehensive knowledge, I can confidently guide enthusiasts in successfully cultivating and caring for passion flowers, ensuring a vibrant and flourishing garden display.