FAQ Passiflora caerulea



Are Passiflora Passion fruit edible and more!

Q Are the Passion fruit edible & how do I know if they are ripe?

A Let fruit drop for most species, but for some it has to be gently removed. Most fruit changes colour as it ripens. Almost all passion fruit are edible but there are a very few that if unripe, are very toxic. If in doubt don’t eat them. The common passion flower P. caerulea has edible but insipid fruit. There are many Passion fruit that are edible and some are widely available worldwide. Read more

Q Can you identify this passion flower for me?

A See Passiflora plant ID

Q What are the best Passiflora to start with?

A If you are a beginner start with the most widely available plant, Passiflora caerulea (the common passion flower), as it is quite hardy & free flowering. If you want a larger more vigorous hardier plant try one of the Riverside® Hybrids, Passiflora ‘Damsel’s Delight’ or Passiflora ‘Snow Queen’ – HTA National Plant Show 2017 Shrubs and Climbers Gold Award winner. Check out our hybrid and species Gallery.

Q Passion flower pruning – When should I prune the Passiflora back?

A Leave the plant looking messy over winter & prune only after growth has restarted. Even then always leave some long straggly bits. When pruning never cut hard to the main stems. Never prune late in the season.

Q What pest problems do they get?

A See Pests & diseases in our plant info section.

Q How do I produce new hybrids?

A Producing hybrids of itself can be quite easy, but producing new distinct ones is much harder. Read more

Q How do I take cuttings?

A There are number of different techniques. Some root easily, others can take many weeks. Read more

Q Can I dig up and move my passion flower?

A In some climates you can get away with it, but the roots are very fragile in most Passiflora so they may suffer suffer from transplant shock and die.

Q Why have I got no flowers?

A They may be too hot or have too much nitrogen, a high potassium feed usually helps. Read more

Q How do I germinate the seed?

A  Some Passiflora seed can be really hard to germinate. Read more

Q Where should I plant them?

A Put plants in South facing dry well drained beds close to a wall or fence. They like a sheltered location without too much wind. Young ones struggle over there first winter. Read more

Q What soil should I grow them in/do they need feeding?

A A good all purpose soil is half loam based mix with a quarter peat and a quarter of sharp sand to improve drainage. Read more

Q How often should I water them?

A Daily when newly planted in the ground. Once established water heavily only once a week to encourage roots to go deep. If in doubt keep them slightly dry.