Passionflower is a large genus of plants comprising more than 400 species. Featuring some of the most intricate blossoms of the plant world, passionflower vines will add a tropical ambiance to your garden. In northern climates, these plants can be treated as annuals or potted and overwintered indoors.

With flowers available in myriad colors, there's a passionflower to fit almost any palette. Along with the varied blossoms you will find, many passionflower species have intriguing foliage. The leaves tend to be medium green with three lobes. Some varieties have wing-shaped foliage with a mottled silver pattern. The fruit of the passionflower is generally ornamental, but some produce edible fruit from the size of an acorn to football-sized. Colors range from bright green, yellow, and orange to purple.

Where to Plant Passionflower

Select a location in full sun to partial shade. Passionflower needs well-drained soil that can be slightly acidic to neutral.

The vines, although they grow vigorously, are rather delicate so plant them in a sheltered spot where they are protected from strong winds and harsh weather. Give them something to climb onto, such as a wall, fence, or trellis. The vine attaches to anything within reach with its twining tendrils so give it ample space and make sure there are no other plants nearby that the vine could overgrow.

How and When to Plant Passionflower

Plant passionflower in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Dig a hole that is about 1.5 times as wide as the root ball and about as deep. Set the plant in the hole and backfill it with original soil. Water and keep the plant well-watered in the absence of rain. 

Space the plants 5 to 6 feet apart.

Passionflower Care Tips

Passionflowers are fairly easy to grow and cope with a variety of growing conditions

Light

If you are in a cooler climate, full sun ensures lush, dense growth whereas in areas with hot summers, partial sun in the afternoon is beneficial. To overwinter potted passionflowers indoors, place them in a spot with bright, indirect light.

Soil and Water

The soil should be rich in organic matter and well-drained. Passionflower does well in a pH range between 6.1 and 7.5.

Keep the soil evenly moist in the absence of rain and water whenever the top inch feels dry but be careful not to overwater it, especially potted plants. Mulching around the base helps to conserve soil moisture.

Temperature and Humidity

Passionflowers won’t survive the winter below Zone 6 so you can either overwinter them indoors or grow them as an annual. Even if you are within the plant’s zone range, it is a good idea to protect the plant from desiccating winter winds, which can damage stems and leaves, by planting it in a protected spot. Passionflower does best in moderate to high relative humidity above 60 percent.

Fertilizer

Fertilize passionflower once at the beginning of the growing season in the spring with a balanced completed fertilizer, following product label directions, and keep the plant on a fertilization schedule every four to six weeks until the late summer.

Pruning

Passionflower blooms on new growth so if you want to cut the plant back to keep it in shape, prune it before the new growth begins in the spring. If you are bringing your passionflowers indoors for the winter, trim them back to the size that fits your space requirements. Other than that, remove spent flowers and dead or broken stems and dry foliage during the growing season.

Potting and Repotting Passionflower

If growing passionflower in a container, select one with large drainage holes and use a well-draining potting mix. Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering and fertilization than plants in garden soil.

Repot the plant to a large pot with fresh potting mix when its roots have filled the container, about every two years.

Pests and Problems

Potential pests include scale insects, spider mites, and whiteflies. Root rot is the most common disease in poorly draining soil or overwatered plants. Another potential disease is leaf spot. If it persists after removing the diseased leaves, apply a fungicide.

How to Propagate Passionflower

The easiest and fastest way to propagate passionflower is from softwood cuttings. Cut a 4- to 6-inch stem below a node and remove all the leaves except for a few at the top. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Fill a small pot with damp potting mix and make a hole with a pencil. Insert the cutting in the hole about 1 inch deep. Water it lightly. Cover the pot with a plastic dome or plastic bag that has a few slits or holes to let some air in. Place the pot in a location away from direct sunlight and keep it evenly moist. After a few weeks when you see new growth and the cutting does not wiggle when you tug on it, it has rooted, Wait until it has grown into a strong little plant before transplanting it outdoors or in a larger container.

Types of Passionflower

'Blue Bouquet' Passionflower

This hybrid passionflower offers large, 3-inch-wide blue flowers. It tends to grow suckers from its roots so it should be planted in a location where it can sprawl or in a container. It grows about 10 feet or more. Zone 9-11

Blue Passionflower

Passiflora caerulea has large, 3-inch-wide blue-and-white flowers on a fast-growing vine with hand-shape foliage. In mild-winter climates, it can climb 30 feet or more. Zone 7-10

'Elizabeth' Passionflower

This hybrid is a stunning variety with fragrant 5-inch-wide lavender-purple flowers. It can climb 10 feet or more. Zone 10-11

Passiflora alatocaerulea

This is one of the most widely grown passionflower vines. It has fragrant, 5-inch-wide flowers on a fast-growing vine that can climb 15 feet or more. Zone 10-11

'Maypop' Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata is native to the southeastern United States. It is a woody vine in areas with warm winters and herbaceous in cold climates, where it dies back to the ground. It bears 3-inch-wide lavender flowers all summer and into fall. It climbs 10 feet or more. Zone 6-9

'Lady Margaret' Passionflower

A hybrid between Passiflora coccinea and Passiflora incarnata, this is one of the most spectacular varieties. It sports blood-red flowers with a white center and climbs 15 feet or more. Zone 9-11.

Passiflora citrina

This passionflower species, which is native to Central America, is an everblooming species. It has yellow trumpet-shaped blooms on wing-shaped velvety leaves. Zone 10-11

Perfumed Passionflower

Passiflora vitifolia is a red passionflower species native to southern Central America. It produces amazing 6-inch-wide crimson-red flowers from summer to fall outdoors and all year indoors. It can climb 20 feet or more. Zone 10-11

'White Wedding' Passionflower

Pure white flowers are not what you would normally associate with passionflower. This hybrid is a tetraploid selection with lots of vigor and fragrant flowers. It climbs to 20 feet or more. Zone 8-10