Passion Flower Seed

Passion Flower - Passiflora Caerulea

 

Season: Perennial
Zones: 8 - 10
Height: Vining: 20 - 30 feet
Bloom Season: Summer to Fall
Bloom Color: Pale Blue
Environment: Full Sun
Soil Requirement: Moist but Well Drained
 

Passion Flower seed is a fast growing, vining plant that can grow up to 20-30 feet and has 4 inch pale blue blossoms. It produces egg shaped orange fruit that is edible but is probably an acquired taste. The plant is native to Southern Brazil and Argentina, and is popular all the way to the southern United States. This variety can be grown further north with moderate success and is hardy down to 10 degrees F. If it dies back due to a severe freeze it will grow back from its deep roots. Passion Flower is an evergreen in tropical or semi-tropical regions, but as the winters become cooler it will drop its leaves. You do need to prune new growth occasionally to promote flowering.

Passion Flower seed can be slow to germinate and take up to 3-4 weeks or longer. It is best to soak the seed 24 hours before planting, and sow 1/4" deep in good compost or potting soil. In place of soaking in water, you can soak them in pulpy passion fruit juice.  The acid helps break down the seed shell and helps in germination.  Keep soil damp, but not too wet. It is best to start in containers. Once seedlings emerge, transfer each seedling to own container so they don't start competing with each other. Needs to be well watered through out the summer months, watering infrequently but deeply to encourage deep root growth. During the winter months keep the soil on the dry side so it will go semi-dormant.