Latin name - Passiflora edulis
Growing from a vigorous, leafy tropical vine, Passionfruit is a delicious tropical treat with an enticing aroma, and very sweet flesh with varying degrees of tartness. It is said to taste like a combination of citrus, melon, pineapple, and kiwi. The vine is native to South America and North Africa, and is commonly grown in tropical regions around the world. We consider Passionfruit one of our favorite fruits, and the essence of tropical flavor.
You can grow Passionfruit quite easily by planting in an area with full, unobstructed sunlight, and allowing the fast-growing vine to cover a trellis, fence, or other structure. The striking white and purple flowers are usually pollinated by bees, but hand pollination can sometimes improve fruit set and overall size/weight of the fruit. Passionfruit vines usually fruit within a year of planting, and while the vines usually don’t live longer than 4 years, they can produce many hundreds of delicious fruit per season.
The edible Passionfruit vine doesn’t have any notable pests, but it is a host plant for several types of butterflies, the most common of which is the orange Gulf Fritillary. If you see small orange caterpillars with black spikes eating the leaves of your Passionfruit vine, don’t worry! As long as the vine is well-fertilized, it’ll outgrow the effects of the caterpillars very quickly, and you’ll be rewarded by native butterflies providing their pollination services.
When planting Passionfruit vines, make sure you have a sufficient trellis or structure for them to grow on. A sturdy chain-link fence is ideal. The vines can get very heavy when fully grown, and require pruning if you want them to stay manageable.
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Size: Vines can grow 30-40’ long, requires pruning to stay contained.
Sun Requirements: Full sun
Cold Hardy: 30 degrees
Harvest Season: Spring/Summer
Watering requirements: Fairly drought tolerant when established, but enjoys extra water.
