If you are thinking of growing maypop passion vines in your backyard, you’ll want a little more information about these plants. Read on for tips on how to grow maypops and information on maypop vine care.

What are Maypops?

“Maypops” is a short-cut term that is used to refer to maypop passion vines (Passiflora incarnata), rapid growing, tendril climbing vines, sometimes to the point of becoming weedy. Natives of the southeastern United States, these vines produce large, showy flowers followed by the maypop fruits.

Maypop passion vines are attractive vines that can grow up to 25 feet (8 m.). They are best known for their unique, showy flowers that are followed by unusual fruit. The vine’s bark is smooth and green. These vines are woody in warmer climates but die to the ground every year in colder climates.

The maypop flowers are different from any others you might see. They have deeply fringed white flowers, topped with a crown of pale lavender filaments. The fruits that follow the flowers are also called maypops. What are maypops like? They are the size and shape of an egg, appearing on the plant in summer and ripening in fall. You can eat them or make jam and jelly.

How to Grow Maypops

If you are thinking of growing maypops, you’ll be pleased to hear that this native vine doesn’t need tending with kid gloves. If you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, it should be a snap.

Maypop vine care is easy if you grow it in well-drained soil in a site that gets some sun. Full sun is fine, but part sun will also work well. The soil can be average since the plant is not demanding.

Once your vine is established, you won’t have much maypop passionflower care to worry about. The vine needs some irrigation in dry weather, but it is also tolerant of drought.

Keep the moisture in the soil and the roots cool by spreading a loose mulch over the soil. In good conditions, the plants spread and thrive. Providing a trellis or similar structure for the vine to climb will help keep the plant from sprawling all over.

Passionflowers are exotic, eccentric, and even slightly alien. They grow on vigorous vines that have a stubborn streak and are difficult to train. However, passion vine training is possible if you follow a few important tips. Read on for information about training young passion vines.

Passionflower Training

Passion vines belong to the genus Passiflora, a genus including some 400 woody vines native to the tropics of North and South America. The vines produce gorgeous and unusual flowers and, in appropriate climates, passion fruit. The vines of the Passiflora plants are extremely vigorous and excellent climbers. Passion vine training involves maneuvering the vine’s growth into the direction you believe best for your garden. Trained passion vines add vertical interest and vibrant colors to your backyard. However, training young passion vines is not as easy as you might hope. If the vine tendril opts to head west, for example, you will have a fight on your hands if you want it to head east.

How to Train a Young Passion Vine

If you want to start passion vine training, you’ll want to first figure out a plan for the optimal direction and ultimate height of the vine. Then you must start training young passion vines tendril by tendril. Keep an eye on the vine’s progress day by day and be ready to step in if it goes off course. One way to succeed at training is to uncurl a vine tendril from an undesirable area and curl it around something in a desired area. Redirecting tendrils is the best, and some say only, way to accomplish passion vine training. You can also undertake passion vine training with trellises and wires. The vines are directed up the trellis, then, when they reach the top, the tendrils are directed along the wire in both directions. The trellis system is most appropriate for commercial production of passion fruit. However, it can also be used in your home garden. Once you have succeeded and the trained passion vines are growing where you want them to be, just sit back and enjoy the presence of this vigorous vine and its fragrant flowers. Don’t worry if vines layer up over each other. The passion vine does this regularly and thrives.

Passion vine is one of the more attractive blooming plants. Their complex flowers are brilliantly colored and often lead to edible fruits. Passion flower leaf loss can be the plant's response to a host of things, from insects to cultural incompatibility. It could also simply be zonal or related to the time of year. Some clues regarding leaf drop on passion vine will help us sort out the causes and solutions.

Why is My Passiflora Losing Leaves?

Passion flower is an intricate blooming plant whose flowers were used to teach the Stations of the Cross. Several varieties are native to North America and many are hardy to USDA zones 7 to 10. Some varieties are tropical and not frost hardy, causing them to lose leaves during cold snaps and often die. If you find a hardy passion vine dropping leaves, causes may be fungal, insect related, or cultural. Any time a plant experiences unusual conditions such as leaf drop, the first step is to look at its requirements and ensure they are being met. These plants need consistent water but well-draining soil, especially during flowering and fruiting. Moderate feeding is also a good idea to promote strong root systems and promote blooms. An early spring feeding of 10-5-10 fertilizer should be applied just before new growth appears and followed by consecutive feedings every two months during the growing season. While this may not prevent passion vine dropping leaves, it will promote the formation of new foliage.

Disease and Leaf Drop on Passion Vine

Several fungal diseases can cause passion flower leaf loss. Among these, Alternaria leaf spot is one of the more common. This disease affects many types of plants, especially fruiting varieties. It not only causes Passiflora leaf drop but also necrotic fruit. Anthracnose is another common disease. It stems from a fungus that attacks the edges of leaves and eventually stems. There are several fungicides that can be used to prevent the disease but once the fungus has taken hold, plants should be destroyed and a cultivar that is grafted on yellow passion vine rootstock should be planted. Fusarium stem canker and Phytophthora root rot begin at the soil line and will eventually lead to leaf drop on passion vine. There are no EPA registered products for control of these diseases.

Passion Vine Dropping Leaves Due to Insects

The most common reason for a passion flower dropping leaves is through insect activity. Spider mites are very active during hot, dry periods. They are very tiny and difficult to see, but the webs they leave behind are a classic identifying characteristic. These insects suck the sap from the plant, both on the leaves and the stems. Reduction of sap will cause leaves to wilt and drop. Keep plants well watered and use a horticultural oil. If there are brown sticky spots on leaves, the problem could well be aphids. They secrete honeydew, a substance that will also attract ants. These are also sucking insects that can adversely affect plant health. Insecticidal soaps and horticultural oil, such as neem, are effective. You may also simply blast them off with water. Provide extra care for the plant as it recovers from any insect invasion.

The plant world boasts more than 500 species of passionflower plants, almost always on vines but occasionally as shrubby plants. Either way, this beautiful heirloom plant is certainly rich in both history and legend. Read on to read about passionflowers through time.

Passionflower Vine History

Passionflower (Passiflora spp.) is native to South America and the fruit was cultivated by Incas, Aztecs, and other indigenous people for thousands of years. The history of passionflowers tells us that European botanists and Jesuit priests became fascinated with the passionflower vine following the conquest of South America and the Incas. History buffs think the unique bloom reminded botanists of the suffering of Christ on the cross, with the corona symbolizing the crown of thorns, five anthers representing five wounds, and three stigmas representing the nails used in the crucifixion. Some historians believe the great interest in the passionflower was an indication of the terrible guilt many Europeans experienced following Pizarro's brutal religious suppression, forced Christianity and resulting carnage of the Incan people. Others think the victors were looking for a sign absolving them of guilt. Over the years, the plant's popularity grew, due to its great beauty, Christian symbolism and sweet flavor. The plant was used medicinally as a mild sedative, but its use expanded even more when early settlers in North America's Gulf Coast area learned that Native Americans used the plant medicinally as a mild sedative and a poultice for cuts and bruises. Early herbalists used the plant as a remedy for a number of maladies, including epilepsy, insomnia, whooping cough, anxiety, depression, menstrual cramps, and diarrhea. Today, herbal medicine practitioners continue to use passionflower as a mild tranquilizer, pain reliever and digestive aid, although there appears to be no solid scientific proof of its effectiveness. The plant is still widely recognized as a symbol of the Passion of Christ. It is a favorite of warm climate gardeners who appreciate its ornamental value.

Do you have a passion for passion fruit? Then you might be interested to know that you can grow your very own even if you don’t live in USDA zones 9b-11, inside that is. The problem with growing them indoors is that passion fruit relies on bees to assist in their pollination. The solution is hand pollinating passion fruit flowers. How do I hand pollinate passion fruit, you ask? Read on to find out how to pollinate passion vine by hand.

Pollinating Passion Fruit Vines

Passion fruit goes by several common names, including Purple Granadilla and Yellow Passion, but there’s nothing common about it. The fruit is borne off a vigorous 15 to 20 foot (5-6 m.) vine that bears unique blossoms. Each node on the new growth bears a single, aromatic flower quite unique in appearance. The blossom is enclosed by three large green bracts and consists of five greenish white sepals, five white petals, and fringed with a corona of purple rays with white tips.

The fruit is round, dark red or yellow, and around the size of a golf ball. Fruit is ready to eat when the skin wrinkles. The fruit is then sliced, and the interior pulp eaten alone or as a condiment. The flavor has been described as somewhat like a guava to very strong orange juice; at any rate, it’s tangy. The fruit has a scent all its own and is reminiscent of fruit punch.

While purple passion is self-fruitful, pollination must occur under humid conditions. The yellow passion fruit is self-sterile. Carpenter bees are the most successful at pollinating passion fruit vines, more so than honeybees. The pollen is too heavy and sticky for successful wind pollination. So sometimes the vine needs some help.

That’s where you come in. Hand pollinating passion fruit flowers is as effective as carpenter bees. Read on to answer your question, “how do I hand pollinate passion fruit?”

How to Pollinate Passion Vine by Hand

If you find you are lacking in pollinators or are growing the vine indoors, it’s time to take matters into your own hands, literally. The hand pollination of passion vines is an easy task that just requires some patience and a delicate touch.

First, pick your pollinating utensil of choice. You can transfer pollen with cotton swabs, a small paintbrush, or even with nail clippers.

Gather the pollen in the morning, within four to six hours of the flower opening. The blooms contain both male and female parts, yet are self-sterile, so the pollen is collected from one flower and then transferred to a flower on a different passion vine.

Locate the stamen of the flower. This shouldn’t be difficult since the passionflower has five stamens topped by anthers that are fairly obvious in the center of the flower. If you are using a cotton swab or paintbrush, just lightly dab the stamen. If using nail clippers, snip the stamen from inside the flower.

Then just transfer the pollen to the female organ, the pistil, by gently rubbing the brush or swab against it. Passion flowers have three pistils.

That’s all there is to hand pollination of passion vines. Keep in mind that yellow passion flowers won’t fruit unless the pollen they are exposed to comes from a different passion fruit vine.

When do you pick passion fruit? Interestingly, the fruit isn't harvested from the vine but is actually ready to eat when it falls off the plant. Fruits ripen at different times of the year in regard to planting zone. These facts make it difficult to know when to harvest passion fruit, especially in cooler regions. 

Other things to consider are species and site. The two varieties of fruit each have different maturity times, with purple fruits ripening earlier than yellow fruits. The best test for ripeness and passion fruit harvest time is the taste test. Nibble your way to a successful harvest of sweet-tart fruit.

When Do You Pick Passion Fruit?

The passion fruit vine is a sub-tropical to tropical plant that cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. It is classed in two forms, the yellow and purple species. Each form has slight differences outside of the obvious color difference, with the purple fruiting vine a more hardy strain that can withstand temperate climates with some protection. 

Both the purple and yellow passion fruit plant species can be bought from some of your favorite stores, including Amazon and Home Depot.

In cooler regions, fruits will ripen much later than those grown in long season, warm areas. The trick to knowing how to harvest passion fruit resides in experience and flavor preference. The purple passion fruit is native to Brazil and widely grown in tropical to sub-tropical areas. This vine seems to have a greater tolerance for cooler conditions and ripens later than its golden hued cousin. 

The origin of the yellow form is unknown, but it is also called tropical passion fruit. Fruits usually start to appear on vines that are one to three years old with earlier fruit occurring in warmer regions. The yellow fruiting vine blooms April to November while the purple flowers in March through April. 

Fruits can be expected to ripen 70 to 80 days after pollination. This means passion fruit harvest time is around the end of summer into fall for purple vines and may be through winter for the yellow form.

How to Harvest Passion Fruit

You will know it is time to harvest when fruits are plump, have a slight give, and are fully colored. In the yellow forms, the color is deeply golden and the purple fruits will be nearly black. 

Slightly wrinkled fruits are super ripe and will have a sweeter taste than the smooth skinned passion fruit. The ripest fruits will simply drop off the vine, so keep the area under your plant clear to facilitate finding the fruit. 

Fruits that are still on the vine and have changed from green to purple or yellow are also ripe and may be picked straight from the tree. Simply give attached fruit a gentle twist when picking passion fruit from the vine. 

Green passion fruit won't ripen fully off the vine but ripe fruits will develop deeper, sweeter flavor if left uneaten for several days.

Storing Passion Fruit

After picking passion fruit, you can store them for a week or more in the refrigerator. When picking passion fruit, place them in boxes or crates where air can circulate. Don't use a bag, as the fruit can mold. Wash and dry the fruit and store in the crisper of the refrigerator or in mesh bags. 

Commercial growers coat the fruit in paraffin to allow for easier shipping and keep fruit fresh for up to 30 days. If you want the fruit to ripen a bit more, leave it on the kitchen counter for a few days. 

The taste will be sweeter and more balanced. Use passion fruit fresh, as a condiment, or cooked down to add to desserts. The rich flavor is also used in cocktails, as juice, and in delicious ice cream.

Passion vines (Passiflora spp.) produce showy, exotic-looking blossoms that add instant impact to any backyard. The flowers of some species grow to 6 inches (15 cm.) in diameter, attracting butterflies, and the vines themselves shoot up quickly. These tropical vines are appealing and easy to grow, but they can suffer from a number of passion vine diseases, including diseases caused by viruses and those that are fungal.

Diseases of Passion Vines

Below you will find information about viral and fungal issues affecting passion vine plants.

Viruses

Some species of passion vines are susceptible to viruses. Some can catch passionflower vine diseases by being infested with viral infections from chewing insect pests. The worst insect transmitters are several species of aphids. The viral diseases of passion vines are also transmitted by grafting knives, scissors, and pruners. None of the viruses are transmitted through seeds. You can identify viral diseases of passion vine plants by looking for distorted or stunted leaves. Vines with these passion vine diseases tend to flower poorly and the fruit they grow is small and misshapen. Young or weak plants may be killed by viral diseases, and treating passion vine problems will not help the plant fight off the disease. Healthier plants often make a full recovery, especially if you care for them properly – plant them in full sun and offer them a balanced fertilizer monthly.

Fungal

Passionflower vine diseases also include fungal infections. These passionflower vine diseases may not kill the plants, but the spores multiply on the leaves, causing ugly spots. Spraying the vines with fungicides in early spring can help prevent these diseases. Fungal diseases can attack passion vine from the time they are seedlings until maturity, including such diseases as anthracnose, scab, septoriosis, and alternaria spot. Some diseases, including fusarium wilt, collar rot, and crown rot are very difficult to control. Treating passion vine problems that are fungal in origin is generally not effective. However, you can prevent these passion vine diseases from attacking your plant through good cultural habits. Always water the passion vine from below to be sure that you don’t get water on vine leaves and be sure that the vine is planted in full sun.

Passion flowers are vigorous vines, native to the Americas, which give your garden a tropical look. Passion vine flowers are vividly colorful and the vines of some varieties produce passion fruit. Different types of passion flower vines are available in commerce, some hardier than the native varieties. For more information about passion flower varieties, read on.

Passion Flower Types

The genus Passiflora has some 400 species, most native to tropical and subtropical regions in the Americas. They are shallow rooted and grow as understory plants in rain forests. The unusual flowers are the stand-out features and many different types of passion flower vines are grown only for their flowers. Of all the species of Passiflora, only one, Passiflora edulis Sims, has the exclusive designation of passionfruit, without qualification. You’ll find two forms of passion vine flowers within this species, the standard purple and the yellow. The yellow type is botanically called Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg. Both passion flower varieties in Passiflora edulis grow small, oval fruits. The edible portion consists of small black seeds, each covered with a juicy, fragrant orange pulp.

Standout Passion Flower Varieties

Another very common type of passion flower vine in the United States is the one native to Texas, Passiflora incarnata. Texas gardeners call this type "May-pop" because the fruits pop loudly when you step on them. This is one of the more hardy passion flower types available in commerce. It grows easily from seed. If fragrance is your primary concern as you are selecting among the different types of passion flower vines, consider Passiflora alatocaerulea. The plant is a hybrid and is very widely available. It is grown commercially and the 4-inch flowers are used to manufacture perfume. This vine may require frost protection in winter. Another of the hardy passion flower types, Passiflora vitifolia offers brilliant scarlet flowers with yellow filaments and edible fruit. This variety is hardy to 28° Fahrenheit (-2 C.). Gardeners each have their own favorite among the different types of passion flower vines. Some of these standouts include:

• Blue passionflower (Passiflora caerulea), with 3-inch (7.5 cm.) blue and white blossoms on a fast growing vine. It climbs to 30 feet (10 m.) in mild climates like USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 10.
• “Blue Bouquet” passionflower (Passiflora ‘Blue Bouquet’) for solid blue flowers in zones 9 through 10.
• ‘Elizabeth’ passionflower (Passiflora ‘Elizabeth’) produces 5-inch (12 cm.) lavender flowers.
• ‘White Wedding’ (Passiflora ‘White Wedding’) offers large, pure white blossoms.

There are over 400 species of tropical and subtropical passion flowers (Passiflora sp.). These vigorous vining plants are recognized for their exotic, ten petaled, sweet-smelling flowers. Although they originate from South America, passionflower vines have naturalized all over the tropics. Some passion flowers produce highly valued fruit too, which is used for juices and desserts. Unfortunately, passionflower vine problems are common. Read on to learn what these may be and what can be done about them.

Passionflower Vine Problems

All passion flowers are frost tender. They must be protected in the winter. They are also susceptible to soil-borne diseases, fungi, viruses, bacteria, and nematodes. One of the issues affecting passionflower vines is that the sweet-tasting, purple fruited subspecies are highly susceptible to the root-knot nematode. Root-knot nematode causes a severe thickening of the roots and even death. Fortunately, the more acidic, yellow fruited subspecies are resistant to nematodes and can be used for rootstock and disease-resistant hybridization. There are many passionflower diseases. One of the biggest problems with passion flowers is the fungus that causes fusarium wilt. Fusarium wilt is a soil-borne disease that can be deadly. The first signs are yellowing leaves followed by dying and dropping leaves. After that, the branches and trunks split and come away from the bark. Finally, the roots discolor and die. Again, growing passion vine on the yellow fruited subspecies rootstock helps control this problem. Viruses, like cucumber mosaic, can affect passionflower vines. It is commonly transmitted through cucumber beetles and aphids. The virus can also spread between plants or infected seed. Plants that are affected show a mosaic-type mottling in the leaves along with stunted growth and leaf distortion. There is no cure other than prevention, so infected plants should be removed. Pests of passion vine also include the highly damaging bacterial spot caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas. It is very difficult to control and causes a lot of damage to commercial crops. The disease begins with small, round spots on the leaves. These spots can grow larger, kill the leaves, reduce photosynthesis, enter the vascular system, reduce plant vigor, damage fruit, and even decimate the whole plant. There are no chemicals on the market that will control this disease. Some species have shown limited resistance and there is hope that a resistant variety that also produces good fruit can be developed. Passionflower vine is a highly attractive and, in some cases, edible plant. It is important for gardeners to be prepared for passionflower vine problems though. Buy only disease-resistant species. Plant them in the right spot with good quality, fast-draining soil in full sun with humid air and plenty of water. This should help these plants resist most diseases and pests of the passion vine.

Passion fruits grow on vigorous vines that cling to supports with their tendrils. Typically, the vine leaves are dark green, with a shiny upper surface. When you see those passion flower leaves turning yellow, the odds are that your vine isn’t getting the nutrients it needs from the soil. However, cold weather or insufficient irrigation could also be the culprit here. Read on for more information about yellow leaves on passion fruit vines.

Yellowing Passion Vines

If you see your passion flower leaves turning yellow, it may be time to check the nutrients in your soil. Too much or too little of particular nutrients can cause yellow passion vine leaves. For example, if your soil contains too much boron, the leaf tips might yellow. Too little iron, magnesium, molybdenum, zinc, or manganese can also cause yellowing passion vines. In those instances, the yellow coloring will show up particularly between the leaf veins. Likewise, a nitrogen, sulfur, or potassium deficiency can cause yellow leaves on passion fruit plants. Obtain a soil sample and send it to a local soil testing laboratory for a complete analysis. Follow the lab’s recommendations for amending the soil. In the short term, solve your vine’s problems by applying blood meal and bone meal or aged chicken manure to the top of the soil, keeping it from touching the foliage. Water thoroughly.

Other Causes of Yellow Passion Vine Leaves

Insufficient water can also result in yellowing passion vines. This usually happens in potted plants when the soil dries out completely. The oldest leaves are the ones likely to yellow. Regular watering will solve this problem quickly. Passion flower leaves that turn yellow can be a result of cold weather, windy conditions, or low humidity as well. The sheer size of the plant makes it difficult to protect when freezes threaten, but generally, the many leaf layers keep the innermost foliage safe from damage. Protect your plant by choosing a planting site against a wall or deck. An attack by the cucumber mosaic virus can result in yellow passion vine leaves or at least yellow patches on the leaves. The leaves yellow, then curl and die. Limit pest damage by controlling aphids, since these tiny soft-bodied insects spread the virus. Spray the aphids thickly with insecticidal soap until the plant is dripping wet. Repeat every few weeks if additional treatment is required.

Passion fruit vines are vigorous growers that send out twirling shoots in every direction. The plants are so energetic that they can take over an area that doesn’t offer enough vertical support. Transplanting passionflower vines may be necessary to afford them enough growing space and scaffolding for vertical growth and training. You must know first when to move a passionflower vine and finally how to transplant a passion vine to ensure the plant’s continued health. Soil type, lighting, and vine protection are the final considerations. A step-by-step analysis of how to transplant a passion vine will have you on the road to success and see a future filled with juicy fruit.

Can You Transplant Passion Vines?

There are around 400 species of Passiflora, most of which are tropical to sub-tropical. Passion fruit vines produce rampant growth that swirls in an eddy of attractive foliage and delicate, wiry stems. The most common are the purple and yellow fruited varieties. The purple form is often grown on rootstock to increase its cold tolerance but can produce suckers. Passion fruit has a deep taproot, which must be part of any transplant for the best outcome. Plants that have been grown off of rootstocks should not be transplanted, as the disturbance can trigger more annoying and unproductive suckers. Some growers recommend removing these suckers or offshoots and transplanting them to make new vines. The resulting vines will either not produce any fruit, or the fruit will be inedible. Can you transplant passion vines grown from seed? The answer is yes indeed. These are the perfect specimens to move and, with proper preparation, even a mature vine should establish quickly and well to its new home.

When to Move a Passionflower Vine

Whether your objective is to take a vine with you to a new home or change the location of a poorly situated vine, transplanting passionflower vines should take place when the weather is mild but not cold. This reduces the stress on the plant during the transition. The best time of year is just before the vine begins actively growing. In temperate climates, this is early spring. In year-round warm regions, choose a period in winter when growth has slowed. Do not fertilize the plant for six to eight weeks before transplanting or it will have tender new growth which may be disturbed by the transplanting process. You may choose to cut the vines back for ease of handling or leave them intact.

How to Transplant a Passionflower Vine

The roots of these Passiflora can grow quite deep so it is necessary to excavate deeply and around the root zone. In older plants, this can be quite an undertaking and may require you to beg some assistance. Larger root balls can be transported by moving them out of their old planting site onto a tarp. Choose a site that is sunny with wind protection and well-draining soil with average to slightly acidic pH. Dig a hole as big as the root ball and incorporate some compost or aged manure. Push in a trellis, stakes, or other support. Plant the vine as deep as it was growing previously, filling in around the roots carefully and tamping the soil. Use plant ties on vines to help them adhere to the new support. Over time the tendrils will wind around and self-support.

Care of Transplanted Passion Flowers

Water the plant well and keep it consistently moist. Do not fertilize until the plant has established itself, usually about a month later. Passionflower vines need a lot of water, but for the most efficient irrigation, it is best to water deeply to help plants develop a deeper root base. Allow the surface of soil to dry out before applying more moisture. Newly transplanted vines will have to be watched and trained as they re-establish themselves. Occasional pruning of errant vines will help form a stronger plant. Additionally, on younger vines, pinch off the top of new growth to encourage branching. If cold weather threatens, apply 2 inches (5 cm.) of mulch around the root zone of the plant, taking care to keep it from the lower stems. In a month, use a 10-5-20 fertilizer to promote new growth and help the plant start forming flowers and fruit.

Passion flowers are truly remarkable. Their blooms can pass in as little as a day, but while they’re around, they’re outstanding. With certain varieties, they are even followed by the incomparable passion fruit. Passion flowers are native to South America and only the hardiest cultivars can survive winters as cold as USDA zone 6. It is because of this, many people choose to grow passion fruit vines in pots that can be moved indoors during the cold months. Keep reading for information on caring for passion flowers in pots.

Container Grown Passion Flowers

Passion fruit vines need very large containers. If you’re transplanting, choose a container that’s two to three times the size of your current one. Fill your container with well-draining, nutrient-rich potting material. Passion fruit vines are fantastic growers and climbers, often gaining 15 to 20 feet (4.5-6 m.) of length in a single year. This means it’s essential to give the vine some kind of growing structure, like a trellis or a chain-link fence. Position your container grown passion flowers about one foot (31 cm.) away from your structure. Even if you’re planning on moving your vine indoors for the winter, it’s alright to let it climb a fixed outdoor object. When winter comes, you can cut the vine down to 1 or 2 feet (31-61 cm.) high so it can be easily stored indoors. It’s such a fast grower that it will easily make up for the lost length in the spring.

Caring for Passion Flowers in Pots

Passion flower container care isn’t too difficult. Keep the soil moist, but don’t overwater. Make sure your container drains readily. Position your container in full sun, unless you live in an area with steady, intense heat. If that’s the case, place your vine in partial shade. Fertilize your vine regularly. That’s it! Now that you know how easy it is to grow passion vines in containers, you can enjoy yours both indoors and out.

Passion flowers have an interesting history and an attention- grabbing bloom. Many plants in the species are native to North America. and Passiflora incarta is a common flower of the American southeastern states. These notable vines are great to grow as attractive screens, floral cover-ups or simply over an arbor as decorative shading. Caring for these intricate flowers includes properly feeding passion flower vines.

Feeding Passion Flower Vines

A casual stroll in sub-tropical states may find you spotting a wild, tangled vine in a ditch or along a roadside with complicated, scented flowers sporting distinctive fringed ray petals. The plant may or may not also bear round to oval waxy fruits of speckled purple, orange-gold or light yellow. These are passion flowers, which have become naturalized in some regions and are a commonly grown ornamental vine. The lucky gardeners who can persuade these plants to live in their landscape know that fertilizing passion flowers is the key to vines choked with blooms. Learn how to fertilize a passion flower vine and make your neighbors pea green with envy as they watch your plant flourish.

When to Apply Passion Vine Fertilizer

Fertilizing passion flowers at the correct time will ensure plenty of blooms that season and a healthy plant, as well as a bountiful harvest on those varieties that produce edible fruits. Most plants benefit from supplemental nutrients. The optimum time to give plants food is just as they are leaving dormancy. Generally speaking, that is in spring when soil and ambient temperatures warm up and new growth commences. Passion flowers are considered heavy feeders. The first application should be in very early spring. Plants cultivated for fruit are fertilized 4 times per year, but those in average culture should be fertilized every 4 to 6 weeks until fall.

How to Fertilize a Passion Flower Vine

In commercial settings, the proper fertilizer for passion flower vine is one with a NPK ratio of 10-5-20. This gives the needed nutrients for best vine growth and plenty of fruit. That said, studies have been conducted to determine the correct levels for passion vine fertilizer. A general rule for ornamental plants is a ratio of 1:1 of nitrogen and potassium. This would mean the first and last numbers of a fertilizer formula would be equal. For passion fruit vines, a food with lower numbers will still enhance the plant’s growth but leave little worry about burnt roots and dropped fruit. Some examples of a lower ratio would be a 5-7-5 or 6-6-6. A soil test prior to the first application can indicate which, if any, nutrients the area is lacking in and the pH of the soil that affects a plant’s ability to uptake nutrients. The lower number formulas are adequate for landscape plants and safe to use without adverse effects on the vine. The correct amount of passion vine fertilizer will depend upon the size of the plant. Commercial plants get 3 pounds (1.5 kg.) per plant 4 times per year. The homegrown vine that is not in production can use feeding every 6 weeks for vigorous plants with a lower number formula. In commercial settings, where plants are producing fruit, each plant needs 32 to 36 ounces (1 kg.) of nitrogen to produce maximum fruit. However, excess nitrogen can cause fruit to drop. Most passion vine fertilizer is granular and should be scraped into soil around the root zone and watered in. You may also choose a foliar spray, which is topically applied and can help prevent chlorosis in alkaline soils. Any fertilizer for passion flower vine should be deeply watered in, and soil should be drenched regularly to prevent the build-up of salt in the earth.

If you are looking for a plant whose flower resembles the art from a spyrograph in the 1970’s, the passion flower is your specimen. Passion vines are tropical to semi-tropical flowering and fruiting plants that need pruning and training by the second year. 

Annual passion flower vine pruning will promote thicker stems, more flowers and bountiful fruit. Trimming passion vines during the growing season can help keep these vigorous plants in check, preventing them from taking over an area and choking out other plants. 

Let's learn the right timing and methods for cutting back passion vines.

Passion Flower Vine Pruning

Passiflora vines are rampant growers that scramble up any vertical surface. Without training and some sort of support, the vines will creep over the ground and take over other plants' spaces. There are three reasons to cut passion flower vines:

• The first is to train the plant when young.
• The next is to promote thicker annual growth and higher fruit yields.
• The third is to rejuvenate damaged or old, neglected plants.

Plants in cultivation are grown up wires with a branching at the top that allows 3 or 4 horizontal stems to be trained for maximum growing surface. In the home landscape, the vine is likely tied to a fence, arbor or trellis. You can let the growth go unchecked, but this provides a plant that is difficult to harvest and has diminished exposure to sun for flower and fruit development. 

Early training of the vine with soft ties will allow it to produce vigorous growth. By the second year, pruning becomes important to form a strong framework. Cut the plant back to the strongest 1 or 2 vines in very early spring. 

These will produce thick growth and peripheral stems for more fruiting space. By the third year, the plant will have filled out and started producing flowers and fruit.

How to Prune a Passion Flower Vine

Here are some tips on how to prune a passion flower. Late winter is the optimum time for pruning Passiflora. This is because the plant is not yet actively growing, so cuts will not remove the season’s flower buds, nor will removing plant material shock the vine into decline. 

Take out any broken, diseased or dead wood initially. Then, remove stems to those with numerous, healthy buds. The actual amount of plant material you remove should not be more than 1/3 of the plant's size, which means annual pruning is an important step to keeping the vine in a certain habit. 

Some growers choose to leave the vine unmaintained, but this can result in fewer flowers and less fruit. Trimming passion vines lightly at any time of the year is acceptable to keep growth in check, but may result in the removal of some of the season’s buds.

Rejuvenation Pruning

Passion flowers are short lived perennials that can be killed by sustained frost. Short freezes on well mulched plants will result in the dieback of old material, but re-sprouting in spring from the roots. 

In old or unmaintained plants, cutting back passion vines to just 1 or 2 strong stems will force the plant to regrow new stems, which can then be trained. The usual tangle of vines in old plants doesn’t form a good open pattern for light and air penetration, and often causes under ripe fruit, disease and insect problems. 

Once the severe cut back has been accomplished in late winter, spring’s warmer temperatures will encourage new growth that is easier to manage.

Maypop passionflower plants (Passiflora incarnata) are native plants that attract bees, butterflies and other important pollinators. The passionflower plant is so lovely that it’s hard to believe it is a troublesome weed in warm climates where the rampant growth isn’t naturally reined in by winter freezes. Let’s learn more about getting rid of wild passionflowers.

Maypop Weed Control

In certain areas, including the southeastern United States, tangled patches of wild passionflower weeds cause problems in hay fields, croplands, wooded areas, pastures, on rocky slopes and along roadsides. Wild passionflowers grow rapidly by means of an extensive system of underground roots, and getting rid of the plants isn’t an easy task. Read on to learn more about maypop weed control.

Getting Rid of Wild Passionflowers Naturally

If you want to control ornamental plants in your garden, remove suckers and wayward growth as soon as you notice it. Otherwise, you may be able to control a small stand of passionflower weeds by pulling the plants when the soil is moist. Use a shovel or trowel to help with stubborn plants because any roots left behind will grow new plants. Dispose of the plants securely.

Maypop Weed Control with Herbicides

Unfortunately, manual control isn’t always possible with large stands of maypop vines and herbicides are required. Even with chemicals, large infestations are difficult to eradicate. Products containing 2, 4-D, triclopyr, dicamba or picloram have proven to be effective means of controlling woody or herbaceous weeds in pastures, rangelands and lawns, although repeat applications may be needed. Be aware, however, that the products can kill any broadleaf or woody plant that comes in contact with the spray, including ornamental plants. Read the labels carefully and use herbicides appropriately, as the substances are highly toxic to people and animals. Herbicides are highly polluting when they leach into the groundwater, and may harm fish and aquatic birds.

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is a South American native that grows in tropical and subtropical climates. Purple and white blooms appear on the passion fruit vine in warm weather, followed by tangy, fragrant fruit that ripens primarily in summer and fall. Passion fruit turns from green to dark purple as it ripens, then falls on the ground, where it is gathered. Although the vine is relatively easy to grow, it is prone to a number of problems, including rotten passion fruit. Read on to learn about passionflower fruit rot and why your passion fruit is rotting.

Why Does Passion Fruit Rot?

Passion fruit is affected by several diseases, many of which can cause passionflower fruit rot. Diseases that cause rotten passion fruit are often the result of weather – primarily humidity, rain, and high temperatures. Although passion fruit requires ample water, excessive irrigation can cause disease. Avoiding diseases that cause passionflower fruit rot involves several steps, including careful pruning to increase ventilation, thinning to prevent overcrowding, and repeated application of fungicide, especially during warm, rainy weather. Prune passion vine only when the foliage is dry. The most common reasons for rotting passionflower fruit come from the following issues:

• Anthracnose is one of the most common and destructive passion fruit diseases. Anthracnose is prevalent during hot, rainy weather and results in leaf and twig wilt and leaf loss. It can also cause rotten passion fruit, recognized initially by oily-looking spots. The spots have a corklike surface and may display dark lesions and a slimy orange mass that becomes soft and sunken as the fruit continues to rot.
• Scab (also known as Cladosporium rot) affects immature tissue of branch leaves, buds, and small fruit, which displays small, dark, sunken spots. Scab becomes more prominent on larger fruit, turning brown and corklike in appearance as the disease progresses. Scab generally affects only the outer covering; the fruit is still edible.
• Brown spot – There are several species of brown spot disease, but the most common are Aternaria passiforae or Alternaria alternata. Brown spot causes sunken, reddish-brown spots that appear when the fruit is mature or halfway mature.

Passion fruit is a tropical to subtropical vine that bears juicy, aromatic, and sweet to acidic fruit. While the vine prefers a frost-free climate, there are some cultivars tolerant of temperatures into the upper 20’s. If you have a frost tolerant varietal, why then is your passionflower not fruiting? Read on to find out how to get a passionflower to fruit and information of other passionflower vine problems.

Help, No Fruit on Passion Vine!

Passion fruit varies in color from purple to a yellow-orange. The purple passion fruit is much more sensitive to cold temperatures than its yellow counterpart, as well as more susceptible to soil diseases. Although sweeter than yellow passion fruit, it is far more likely to be affected by disease or cold temps that result in no fruit on the passion flower vine. So, the cultivar that you selected to grow may be directly related to why your passion flower is not fruiting.

How to Get a Passion Flower to Fruit

If you have planted a more resilient yellow passion vine not damaged by cold temperatures or disease, there are other reasons for a passion fruit that won’t produce.

Fertilizer

A heavy hand when fertilizing may result in lush green foliage, but flowers that never become fruit. All the energy of the plant is going into producing the abundant foliage and not into fruit production. You only need to fertilize the passion vine twice a year. Once in the early spring after pruning the vine and again in the fall once fruiting is done. Application of rich compost around the vine may also “over” fertilize the plant. Planting sites near septic tanks or compost areas where the vine may access additional nutrients can have the same result.

Poor pollination

The first thing to know regarding a passion flower that is not fruiting is that most varieties are self-sterile and, thus, need a little help pollinating. Many flowers of the purple passion vine will set fruit when self-pollinated, but yellow passion vines need to be pollinated by a different vine that is genetically compatible. If you are experiencing no fruit on your passionflower vine, another reason may be few bee visitors. Bees are needed to cross-pollinate passion fruit flowers in order for fruit to form. Attract more bees by planting aromatic, flowering herbs, like lavender, or other flowering perennials or annuals known to entice them. Honeybees are effective for some small varieties, but the carpenter bee is the most avid pollinator for most passion vine cultivars. Similar in appearance to the bumble bee, carpenter bees can be encouraged to visit your passionflower vine by placing hollow logs near the plants. You can also hand pollinate the passion blossoms yourself. Use a delicate brush or cotton swab and pick a flower and transfer the pollen, gently, from one blossom to another. Hand pollinate in the morning to midmorning.

Reducing Non-Blooming/Fruiting Passion Flower Problems

• While passion fruit vines do not require pruning, it may be beneficial. Pruning of passion vine allows the sun to penetrate through the vine, aiding in ripening fruit. It also produces strong new growth that encourages fruit set. Flowers and fruit do not form on the old growth of a passion flower vine, so if you desire fruit, you need to prune. Prune back the plant at the start of spring. Follow a stem carefully prior to cutting to ensure you are not cutting a major branch.
• Insufficient water will stress the passion vine out, causing it to abort or not even flower. Keep the passion vine moist on a consistent basis. Mulch around the plant to retain moisture but be sure not to overwater, which can further disease.
• Too little fertilizer will also affect a passion vine, causing yellow leaves and lack of fruit set. Passion vines are vigorous growers, so feed the plant 10-5-20 NPK food at the rate of 3 pounds (1 kg.) per plant, a couple times per year or as needed.
• If the plant has been damaged by frost, give it an extra bit of fertilizer once the weather has warmed and the growing season is imminent.
• Pest infested plants become stressed plants which affect fruit set. If the vine becomes infested by ants or aphids, try spraying the plant with Pyrethrum to eradicate the pests.
• Passion fruit likes full sun near the coast, but should be protected from hot, dry, inland heat. It thrives in temperatures from 68 to 82 degrees F. (20-27 C.) in well-draining sandy loam with a pH of between 6.5 and 7. The roots are shallow, so planting in raised beds can increase drainage, which helps thwart soil diseases.

Hopefully, if you are adhering to all of the above, your passion flower will set fruit, but if not, it is still an interesting addition to the home garden and enjoyable for its unique and beautiful blooms.

The unusual flower and sweet fruits of wild passionflower sparked something in gardeners, who began to hybridize and collect passionflower vines in a frenzy. New gardeners feel the same spark when they see the vine in bloom but become discouraged when their own passionflower does not bloom. No blooms on passionflower doesn't necessarily mean you're doing something wrong in caring for your plant; many over-loved passionflower vines will climb out of control but refuse to bloom.

Getting Passionflower to Bloom

“How do you get a passionflower to bloom?” is a question commonly asked on garden forums across the web and shouted in earnest over back fences everywhere. It would stand to reason that if your passionflower vine was growing wildly out of control, it should be setting blooms, but this isn't always the case. Passion flowers require very exacting conditions to excite the urge to bloom. A passionflower not blooming is almost always due to something in the environment, so put on your detective pants and carefully inspect your plant's living quarters while keeping the following in mind: Age: Passionflowers don't always bloom right away. Many species need several years to establish a solid root system before they begin to set blooms. Blooms are lovely, but they soon lead to resource-intensive fruits-- your plant may need to build reserves before it's ready for fruiting. Fertilizer: Passionflowers, at their very core, are still more wild than domesticated. They don't need to be pampered and they really would prefer that you didn't bother. Nitrogen feedings, especially, may result in fast, spindly vegetative growth at the expense of flowers. The addition of phosphorus, like bone meal, can usually help offset this. Like many other native plants, passionflower thrives on neglect. Lighting: Fruiting plants need as much sun as they can get, and passionflower is no exception. Even if you never intend to harvest them, your passionflower is hard-wired to turn those flowers you seek into fruit, and this means being able to create lots of food with the help of the sun. Check your passionflower during the day to make sure it gets at least eight hours of direct sunlight; otherwise, it may never bloom or bloom only sparsely when it tries. Watering: Passion flowers are tough enough to handle drought conditions but grow best when planted in a well-draining location and watered frequently. The soil should be moist, not wet. Water helps all plants transport raw materials to leaves, where they're turned into food for the plant. Without adequate water, these systems may be disrupted.

Passion flower (Passiflora spp.) is a striking tropical-like vine that is easy to grow. This popular houseplant or garden vine is also easy to propagate. Passion flower propagation can be achieved through seeds or stem cuttings in spring, or by layering in late summer.

Propagating Passion Flower Seeds

Passion flower seeds are best germinated while fresh, or straight from the fruit. They do not store well and will usually go dormant for up to a year. To break dormancy and improve germination for seeds that have been stored a while, you can simply take a piece of fine sandpaper and lightly rub one or both sides of the seeds. 

Then soak the seeds in lukewarm water for about 24 hours. Throw out any seeds that are floating, as they are no good. Press the remaining seeds about ¼ inch (0.5 cm.) into moist potting mix or peat compost—whatever you use should drain well. Cover with ventilated plastic to maintain humidity and remove once germination begins within two to four weeks. 

(Note: Older seeds can take anywhere from four to eight weeks or even longer to germinate.) Keep seedlings out of direct sunlight until they develop their second set of leaves. Don't expect instant blooms with seed-grown plants. Some passion flower species can take up to ten years to bloom.

How to Root Passion Flower Cuttings

Stem cuttings are normally taken during the softwood stage, when they can break off easily when bent. Use a sharp pair of pruners and clip off about 4- to 6-inch (10-15 cm.) cuttings just below the node. 

Strip off the bottom-most leaves and tendrils and then dip the ends in rooting hormone. Stick the cuttings about half an inch (1 cm.) into well-draining potting mix or an equal mix of sand and peat. Lightly water and then cover with a clear, ventilated plastic bag. Include stick supports if necessary. 

Place the cuttings in a shady location, keeping them warm and moist. You should notice new growth within a month, at which time you can gently tug on the cuttings to test their root establishment. 

Once significant rooting has occurred, they can be transplanted to their permanent locations.

How to Propagate Passion Flowers by Layering

You can also propagate passion flowers by layering. This technique is usually performed in late summer by stripping the leaves from a small section of the stem and then bending it over, partially burying it in the soil. 

Anchoring it in place with a small stone may be necessary. Water well and, within a month or so, it should begin rooting. However, for better results, you should keep the piece in place throughout fall and winter, removing it from the mother plant in spring.

There are over 400 species of tropical passion flowers (Passiflora spp.) with sizes ranging from ½ inch to 6 inches (1.5-15 cm.) across. They are found naturally from South America through Mexico. Early missionaries to these regions used the distinctly colored patterns of the flower parts to teach about the passion of Christ; hence the name. Read on to learn more.

Tips for Passion Flower Care

Their vibrant colors and heady fragrance make the passion flower a welcome addition to any garden. Unfortunately, because of its origins, most species of passion flower can't overwinter in many gardens in the United States, although there are a few that will survive up to USDA plant hardiness zone 5. Most varieties will grow in Zones 7-10.

Because they are vines, the best place for growing passion flowers is along a trellis or fence. The tops will be killed off during winter, but if you mulch deeply, your passion flower will return with new shoots in the spring. Since growing passion flowers can reach 20 feet (6 m.) in a single season, this die-back will help keep the vine under control.

Tropical passion flowers need full sun and well-drained soil. Two applications of a well-balanced fertilizer per year, once in early spring and one in midsummer are all the passion flower care you'll need.

How to Grow Passion Vine Indoors

If you live in an area where winters are too harsh for tender passion flower care, don't despair. Growing passion flowers indoors is as easy as finding a big pot and a window with bright light. Plant your vine in a rich, commercial, indoor potting soil and keep it uniformly moist, not wet.

Move your plant outdoors after all danger of frost is past and let your vine run wild. Come fall, cut back the growth to a reasonable height and bring it back indoors. Knowing how to grow passion vine is all it takes to bring a little of the tropics to your patio or porch.

You can grow the passion flower vine (Passiflora spp.) in the ground during normal spring and summer months, or you can plant it in a container so you can take the Passiflora indoors during winter. Regardless of what you do, you might ask yourself, "Is it normal to drop leaves during winter months with this plant?" In fact, it is normal and is a sign that the plant is going into dormancy for the winter.

Passion Flower Vine Winter Care

Wintering a passion flower plant isn't that difficult. In fact, passion flower winter care doesn't require a lot of effort if you bring them indoors.

Over wintering passion flower plants can be done in total dormancy by putting the plants in a dark, cool place. You can also keep some in a cool place to go dormant but let them have some light, or bringing the Passiflora indoors during winter months can simply mean a change of location, allowing them to continue to bloom as if nothing changed.

Passion flower winter care can include regular watering and keeping them active throughout the season, or passion flower vine wintering can include a period of dormancy.

If you allow the plant to go dormant, you will want to keep it in a dark, dry, cool place. It will lose its leaves over the winter months this way. Once in dormancy, water the passion vine about once a month.

Passion flower vine winter care in a sunny location in your home involves turning the pots every few weeks so they get equal sunshine. You also want to provide humidity if you are going to bring your Passiflora indoors during winter because the air inside is much drier than outdoors. Misting and a good humidifier will definitely help.

When springtime returns, you'll want to put them back outside, but you probably should not jump on it. You should acclimate it to slowly introduce the plant back to the sunlight.

How Long Does it Take Before Berry Fruits?

Once your passion flower vine winter care period is over with and you have replanted your plants outdoors, you may be asking yourself how long it takes before you see the fruits. Your passion flower vine should flower by mid-June and you should see fruits by mid-July in most areas.

Now you know that you can keep your passion flowers safe from winter damage by over wintering passion flowers inside, you can enjoy them even longer. They will go dormant, but will come out healthier, fuller and prettier in the end.

With the popularity of owning a Passiflora vine, it's no wonder that the common name for them is a passion vine. These semi-tropical beauties are grown all over the world and are cherished for their marvelous flowers and tasty fruit. If you live in USDA planting zone 7 for most passion vine plants and zone 6 (or a mild zone 5) for purple passion vine plants, you should be able to successfully overwinter your passionflower vine outside.

Growing a Passion Vine Outside Year Round

The first step that you need to take is to make sure that where you are growing a passion vine outside is somewhere that the vine will be happy year-round. For most climates, you will want to make sure that the Passiflora vine is planted in a somewhat sheltered area.

For cooler climates, plant your passion flower vine near a foundation on a building, near a large rock, or concrete surface. These types of features tend to absorb and radiate heat as well as help keep your Passiflora vine remaining a little warmer than it otherwise would be. The part of the plant that is above ground will still die back, but the root structure will survive.

In warmer climates, the root structure will most likely survive regardless, but a sheltered area out of the wind will ensure that more of the upper part of the passion vine plants will survive. 

Preparing a Passion Flower Vine for Winter

As winter approaches, you will want to cut back on fertilizer you may be giving to the plant. This will discourage any new growth as the warm weather comes to an end.

You will also want to heavily mulch the area around the Passiflora vine. The colder the area you live in, the more you will want to mulch the area.

Pruning Passion Vine Plants

Winter is an excellent time to prune your passion flower vine. A Passiflora vine does not need to be pruned to be healthy, but you may wish to train or shape it. In cooler climates the whole vine will die back, but in warmer climates this will be the time to do any pruning you think needs to be done.

What better way to create the feeling of an indoor jungle than introducing the perfect tropical vine. Both exotic looking and easy to care for, the passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) is one of the most interesting flowering vines around. This tropical vine can be easily grown indoors to create a beautiful tropical setting. Keep reading to learn how to grow passion flower houseplants.

About the Passion Flower

The passion flower is a beautiful tropical-looking vine, though not native to tropical regions. In spite of its tropical appearance, the passion flower, also known as the Maypop because it pops out of the ground in May, is actually native to the southeastern United States and can be seen growing along roadsides, open fields, and even in some wooded areas. The passion flower was named by early missionaries in the early 1500's, who believed parts of the plant symbolized features of the crucifixion of Christ. For instance, the flower's five petals and five petal-like sepals were said to represent the ten apostles who remained faithful to Jesus throughout the Passion suffering and death. In addition, the flower's circle of hair-like rays above its petals was thought to suggest the crown of thorns upon Christ's head.

How to Grow Passion Flower Vine Houseplants

This tropical-like vine prefers indoor temperatures that remain between 55 and 65 degrees F. (13-18 C.), but will tolerate slightly cooler conditions during winter months. While it enjoys lots of light, avoid any direct sun. Keep the passion flower vine watered regularly while the plant is actively growing and be sure to provide it with adequate drainage. Once fall begins getting closer, you can allow the passion flower to dry out some between watering intervals but not completely. This plant also appreciates good ventilation when grown indoors. Potted plants can be placed outside in a warm sheltered spot during the summer, if desired. They generally begin blooming in July and continue until frost outdoors, even longer inside. The vines can also grow up to 15 feet (4.5 m.) in a season. Provide a trellis or other suitable support system for this vine and the passion flower will reward you with unique and beautiful purplish blue flowers. There are numerous species of Passiflora in other colors as well, such as yellow, and all species produce edible fruits, ranging from 1/2 inch (1 cm.) up to 6 inches (15 cm.) in diameter. These fruits also vary with shape and color depending on the species grown, from round to oblong and yellow to purple. If you're looking for something different to add an exotic presence to your home, look no further. The passion flower is certainly a good choice. It's relatively carefree, quite exquisite in appearance, and the flowering vine is filled with a rich history.