Plant Profile: Bountiful Passionfruit Ripe for the Picking
A popular backyard crop among Australians that is fast-growing, practical, decorative and harvests tangy summer fruit
There’s more to passionfruit vines than delicious summer fruit – they’re vigorous climbers that can cover ugly boundary walls or structures, and, when in full bloom, add colour to your garden.
Plant at a Glance
Common name: Passionfruit (also granadilla and purple granadilla)
Botanical name: Passiflora edulis
Origin: Brazil
Size: Can grow up to 4.5 metres in height, with a spread of 2.4 to 4.5 metres
Signature traits: Climbing vine with ovoid, edible fruit, glossy, three-lobed leaves and large, starry purple and white flowers
Looks best: As shading over a pergola or trellis; or as a screening for a dull or ugly wall
Plant at a Glance
Common name: Passionfruit (also granadilla and purple granadilla)
Botanical name: Passiflora edulis
Origin: Brazil
Size: Can grow up to 4.5 metres in height, with a spread of 2.4 to 4.5 metres
Signature traits: Climbing vine with ovoid, edible fruit, glossy, three-lobed leaves and large, starry purple and white flowers
Looks best: As shading over a pergola or trellis; or as a screening for a dull or ugly wall
Who is the plant best suited to?
Those looking to grow a bountiful backyard crop that is also decorative and practical.
An Aussie favourite, passionfruit vines are fast-growing, and can provide quick screening for not-so-appealing walls and fences, or shading over a pergola. Large purple and white flowers bloom in summer and add a further decorative element to garden structures. Those that could benefit most, however, are the fruit-obsessed who can’t resist paying $1 upwards per passionfruit at the supermarket.
What is the ideal climate?
Frost-free, warm temperate to tropical parts of the country, where it can grow all year round.
Where is it best positioned?
Somewhere out in the open, under full sun (although in very hot areas, partial shade is preferred). It is best planted in an area that has no existing trees or roots to compete with, as passionfruit vines develop extensive root systems, and need plenty of room to grow. It is also ideal to provide space for the vine to grow upwards – at least 2 metres. Furthermore, passionfruit need to be trained as they grow, so a solid, upright support structure should be provided for the main stem, and wire, a trellis or mesh for the tendrils to latch on to. Just note that the weight of passionfruit vines can be quite heavy, and so the support structure used will need to be strong enough to carry the load.
Those looking to grow a bountiful backyard crop that is also decorative and practical.
An Aussie favourite, passionfruit vines are fast-growing, and can provide quick screening for not-so-appealing walls and fences, or shading over a pergola. Large purple and white flowers bloom in summer and add a further decorative element to garden structures. Those that could benefit most, however, are the fruit-obsessed who can’t resist paying $1 upwards per passionfruit at the supermarket.
What is the ideal climate?
Frost-free, warm temperate to tropical parts of the country, where it can grow all year round.
Where is it best positioned?
Somewhere out in the open, under full sun (although in very hot areas, partial shade is preferred). It is best planted in an area that has no existing trees or roots to compete with, as passionfruit vines develop extensive root systems, and need plenty of room to grow. It is also ideal to provide space for the vine to grow upwards – at least 2 metres. Furthermore, passionfruit need to be trained as they grow, so a solid, upright support structure should be provided for the main stem, and wire, a trellis or mesh for the tendrils to latch on to. Just note that the weight of passionfruit vines can be quite heavy, and so the support structure used will need to be strong enough to carry the load.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Enochlau
How much maintenance is involved?
Not much. The vine is fast-growing so will require regular feeding, and is susceptible to becoming a tangled mess if it is not pruned appropriately – but other than that, it is a relatively easy-to-care-for plant.
How much maintenance is involved?
Not much. The vine is fast-growing so will require regular feeding, and is susceptible to becoming a tangled mess if it is not pruned appropriately – but other than that, it is a relatively easy-to-care-for plant.
WATER: Regularly to prevent the fruit shrivelling up and dropping too early. In the dryer months, especially during summer, established plants need a thorough soaking once a week, so that the soil around the roots is kept moist. Make sure you soak a wide area – 3 to 5 metres from the base of the trunk – to ensure you reach the wide-spread roots.
FERTILISE: Twice a year, ideally with a citrus fertiliser, in the spring and again in the early summer when fruits start to appear.
PRUNE: Lightly during the growing season (spring through to autumn) to control the size and spread of the vine, and to avoid a tangled mess. This will also allow sunlight to filter through to the vine and ripen the fruit. Generally speaking, it is best to remove all weak growth and cut back vigorous growth by at least one third.
FERTILISE: Twice a year, ideally with a citrus fertiliser, in the spring and again in the early summer when fruits start to appear.
PRUNE: Lightly during the growing season (spring through to autumn) to control the size and spread of the vine, and to avoid a tangled mess. This will also allow sunlight to filter through to the vine and ripen the fruit. Generally speaking, it is best to remove all weak growth and cut back vigorous growth by at least one third.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Fir0002
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
- Fruits yellowing, shrivelling up and/or dropping
This could be an indication of under-watering. Increase the water supply, especially during the dryer months and growing season. Another potential explanation is the common fruit fly, which can often zone in on the fruit. If this is the case, try placing a fine net over the vine and secure with pegs. - Lack of fruit
It may be that your vine hasn’t matured yet – it usually takes at least 18 months for a passionfruit vine to start developing fruit. If you have an established vine that’s not producing fruit, however, there could be a range of factors: irregular watering; erratic and/or climatic extremes (cold winds, for instance); too much shade; or even a lack of bees pollinating the flowers. To encourage growth, ensure watering is regular and consistent; shelter the vine from winds; prune as necessary to better expose the vine to sunlight; and, if there are no bees about, try pollinating by hand. - Excessive growth
Passionfruit vines can take over pretty quickly, and can cover a frame up to 5 metres long in just one growing season. If it’s getting a bit too much, though, a bit of thinning during the growing season will reduce the bulk and reveal more of the flowers.
TELL US
Have you a passionfruit vine in your garden? Please share your experiences in the Comments.
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