How to Grow Passionflower
Passiflora caerulea
Passionflower is a vigorous hardy climber producing exotic blooms with striking blue, white and purple corona filaments from June to September. Plant against a sheltered, sunny wall in well-drained soil. Provide wires or trellis for support. In mild winters it is semi-evergreen; after hard frosts it dies back to the roots and regrows strongly in spring. Cut frosted stems back to live wood in spring — do not prune in autumn. Feed with a balanced fertiliser once growth begins. Very fast-growing once established, reaching 10m in height.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Spring, once new growth is visible — a balanced general fertiliser or slow-release granules. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which promote lush foliage at the expense of flowers.
Watch For
- Red spider mite (in hot, dry summers)
- Whitefly
- Vine weevil
- Scale insect
Companions
Clematis, Roses, Wisteria, Jasmine
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun to light shade; sheltered south- or west-facing wall ideal
Passionflower flowers best in full sun but tolerates light dappled shade. A sheltered wall facing south or west provides the warmth it needs to flower freely and survive winter. Avoid cold, exposed north-facing positions.
Watering
Moderate — water well when establishing; drought-tolerant once mature
Water regularly in the first season to establish deep roots. Once established, passionflower is fairly drought-tolerant and needs supplemental watering only during prolonged dry spells. Avoid waterlogged soil.
Fertilizing
Light balanced feed in spring; avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers
Apply a balanced general fertiliser or slow-release granules once new growth appears in spring. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds — excess nitrogen promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers. On fertile soils, feeding may not be necessary at all.
Pruning
Spring only — cut frosted stems to live wood; can cut to ground if needed
Leave all stems in place over winter to protect the crown. In spring, once frosts have passed, cut dead or frosted stems back to the point of live growth. If the plant has been killed to the ground by frost, cut all growth to the base — it will regrow vigorously from the rootstock. Shorten long sideshoots to 2–3 buds. Never prune in autumn.
Spacing
150cm from wall base; one plant covers 3–4m of wall
Allow at least 150cm between plants if growing several. A single established plant spreads 4m wide and can reach 10m high, so give it plenty of room on a large fence, pergola, or wall.
Support
Horizontal wires or trellis — tendrils grip tightly
Install horizontal training wires at 30cm intervals before planting, or fix a trellis panel securely to the wall. The plant climbs by tendrils which latch on firmly but need some framework to get started. Guide new growth regularly once it gets going — it grows very fast.
Growing Tips
Plant against a sheltered wall
Passionflower thrives with the warmth and protection of a south- or west-facing wall. The extra heat from masonry extends flowering and improves winter survival.
Provide strong support from the start
Tendrils grab tightly — install horizontal wires or trellis before planting. Once established, growth is very fast and needs guiding regularly.
Cut back in spring, not autumn
Leave all stems over winter to protect the crown. In spring, remove dead or frosted growth back to live wood. If frosted to the ground, cut to the base — it will regrow.
Go easy on the feed
Too much nitrogen produces lush leafy growth with few flowers. A light balanced feed in spring is all it needs on most soils.
