Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Passiflora edulis |
| Family Name: | Passifloraceae |
| Common Name(s): | Passion Fruit Vine, Purple Granadilla |
| Size: | Can grow up to 15-30 feet in length |
| Plant Type: | Vine, Perennial |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | Native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina |
| Native to: | Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina |
| Planted range in the USA: | Commonly grown in subtropical and tropical parts of the USA, including Florida, Hawaii, and parts of California |
| Conservation Status: | Not listed as threatened |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Best planted in spring after the risk of frost has passed |
| Sun Exposure: | Partial shade to full shade |
| Soil Type: | Rich, well-drained, sandy-loam to loamy soil |
| Soil pH: | 5.5 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Water Requirements: | High; requires consistent, deep watering especially during fruiting season |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | High; feed with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. |
| Pruning Requirements: | Prune after fruiting to maintain plant health and vigor, and to facilitate harvesting |
| Growth Rate: | Fast; quickly covers trellises and other supports |
| Companion Planting: | Benefits from being planted with other tropical plants like citrus and guava for shared pollinators |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Moderate; can withstand short dry periods but thrives with regular watering |
| Frost Tolerance: | Low; damage occurs at temperatures below 28°F (-2°C), requiring frost protection in cooler climates |
| Heat Tolerance: | Very high; can tolerate temperatures well above 100°F (38°C) |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate; may require support and shelter in windy areas |
| Salt Tolerance: | Low; not suitable for direct coastal planting without protection |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | 9-12 |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Edible, oval fruits |
| Harvest Time: | Summer through fall |
| Fruit Description: | Round to oval, 1-3 inches in diameter, with a tough outer rind and juicy, seed-filled center. Known for its sweet and tart flavor. |
| Edible Plant: | Yes |
| Edible Parts: | Fruit |
| Medicinal: | Used traditionally to treat insomnia, anxiety, and as a mild sedative due to the calming effects of the fruit's juice. |
| Flower Color: | White with a purple center |
| Flower Shape: | Unique, intricate, radial shape typical of the passiflora family |
| Fragrance: | Mildly fragrant |
| Flower Bloom Time: | Spring and summer |
| Bloom Duration: | Flowers last for about one day, but the plant continues to produce new flowers throughout the season |
| Pollination: Self or Other? |
Self-pollinating, but benefits from cross-pollination with other passion fruit vines |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, as well as birds that feed on the fruit |
| Pollinators: | Bees and butterflies |
| Problematic Pest: | Susceptible to fruit flies, aphids, and vine weevils. |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | No, the plant is not toxic; the fruits are safe to eat |
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | None |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not toxic; fruits are edible and highly nutritious |
| Toxic to Animals: | Non-toxic; safe for wildlife and domestic animals |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Can be prone to fungal diseases in humid conditions; ensure good air circulation |
Passion Fruit (Passiflora Edulis)
The Passiflora Edulis plant is an incredibly versatile crop that can be grown around the world in tropical climates due to its hardiness and resilience against pests and disease. From its vibrant flowers to its delicious fruits filled with dozens of tiny seeds, this flowering vine offers a wide array of uses for both human consumption as well as medicinal purposes! Looking for unique ingredients or flavors to add to your products, Passion Fruit offers something special no other ingredient can match! With proper care this beautiful plant can thrive indoors or outdoors bringing color and life wherever it grows! If you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that packs a punch with flavor, then look no further than the Passion Fruit!
Varieties suitable for Florida
Passiflora edulis:
Fruiting Season: Early summer through early fall.
Pollination: Self-sterile, requiring cross-pollination.
Best Pollinators: Carpenter bees or hand pollination.
Planting Zone Range: 9-11
Description: Produces round to oval fruits with a tough outer rind and juicy, seed-filled interiors, known for their sweet-tart flavor and aromatic qualities.
Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa (Yellow Passion Fruit):
Fruiting Season: Can fruit slightly earlier than the purple variety, often from late spring through fall.
Pollination: Also requires cross-pollination.
Best Pollinators: Hand pollination is recommended, although bees can also be effective.
Planting Zone Range: 9-11
Description: This variety produces larger, yellow-skinned fruit that is generally more acidic than the purple variety. It is more tolerant of warm, humid climates and somewhat more resistant to some diseases.
Passiflora ligularis (Sweet Granadilla):
Fruiting Season: Similar to other passion fruits, mainly from summer to fall.
Pollination: Requires cross-pollination.
Best Pollinators: Bees are effective; however, hand pollination can help increase yields.
Planting Zone Range: 9-11, with some protection needed during cooler temperatures.
Description: Known for its sweet flavor, this variety has round fruits with orange skin and a hard outer shell. The interior is filled with sweet, aromatic, and slightly gelatinous pulp.
These varieties offer different characteristics in terms of flavor, size, and climatic adaptability, providing options depending on your taste preferences and specific garden conditions. By incorporating these varieties into your garden, you can enjoy a diverse range of flavors and harvest times, while also optimizing pollination and fruit production.
Companion Planting
For Passiflora edulis (Passion Fruit Vine), here's a list of companion plants that are both Florida Native and Florida Friendly, suited for planting zone 9. These companions not only enhance the visual appeal of your garden but also support ecological diversity by attracting beneficial wildlife and improving pollination:
Florida Native Plants
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Zone Range: 4-9
Benefits: Attracts hummingbirds and beneficial insects which can help pollinate the passion fruit flowers.
Use: Plant near your Passion Fruit Vine to attract more pollinators and add vertical interest with its climbing habit.
Firebush (Hamelia patens)
Zone Range: 8-11
Benefits: Another great pollinator attractor, Firebush brings in butterflies and hummingbirds that can benefit the surrounding plants, including Passion Fruit.
Use: Plant alongside Passion Fruit to create a vibrant, wildlife-friendly environment.
Florida Friendly Plants
Citrus Trees (Citrus spp.)
Zone Range: 9-11
Benefits: The citrus trees attract pollinators that are beneficial for passion fruit vines. Both plants like full sun and well-drained soil.
Use: Plant citrus trees nearby to help improve pollination and provide shade as they mature, which can be beneficial during the hottest parts of the day.
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Zone Range: 2-11
Benefits: Marigolds are known for their ability to deter some pests with their strong scent, and they can also attract beneficial insects.
Use: Plant marigolds around the base of your Passion Fruit Vine to help deter pests and add color to the garden.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Zone Range: 2-11 (grown as an annual in colder zones)
Benefits: Basil repels many garden pests including thrips and flies. It also attracts pollinators when flowering, which can benefit the surrounding plants.
Use: Intersperse basil among your Passion Fruit Vines to repel pests and attract beneficial insects.
These companion planting suggestions will not only enhance the growth and fruit production of Passiflora edulis but also contribute to creating a more diverse, sustainable, and visually appealing garden.