How to Grow Passion Flowers

Tips for planting, growing and caring for Passion flowers

Passion flowers are perennial vines with stunning, fragrant flowers that only open for one day.

The most common colors are blue and purple, but they’re also available in red and white varieties.

Passion flower vines grow well on trellises, fences and pergolas.

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Growing Passionflower

Passion flowers (Passiflora spp.) are native to South America and there are more than 550 species including vines, shrubs and trees. [1]

They’re fast growing and great for attracting bees and hummingbirds to your garden.

HOW TO GROW PASSION FLOWERS

Best soil for Passion flowers

Passion flowers grow best in rich, fertile soil with good drainage. They prefer the soil to be moist but not overly wet.

How much sunlight do Passion flowers need?

Passion flowers prefer to grow in a position that is in full sun or partial shade in the afternoon, especially in hot climates.

How long do Passion flowers take to bloom?

Passion flowers can take three or more years to bloom. Plants that are grown from seed can take even longer to flower.

Passion flower growing in garden

How tall do Passion flowers grow?

Passion flower vines are fast growing and can reach 16 to 32 feet (5 to 10 m). They can grow up to 20 feet (6 m) in one season.

Passion flower varieties to try in your garden

Growing Passion flowers from cuttings

Passion flowers can be propagated from cuttings taken in spring before the first frost of the season.

Take a 6 inch (15 cm) cutting and remove the lower leaves. Place into potting mix and keep indoors over winter. They can be planted in the garden in spring the next year.

Passion flowers can also be propagated by layering. Strip the leaves from a section of stem and bury it under the soil. Keep the stem in place with a piece of wire or a small stone. It should root in a couple of weeks.

Passion flower bloom

Growing Passion flowers from seeds

Passion flowers can be extremely slow to germinate, but soaking the seeds for a couple of days before planting can help.

The seeds need light to germinate, so just place the seeds on the surface of the potting mix and gently pat them down.

Keep the soil moist and transplant them to larger pots when they have a few sets of leaves.

Plants that are grown from seed can take many years to flower, so propagation from cuttings is best.

Watering Passion flower vines

Passion flowers need to be watered regularly throughout summer, especially in hot weather. The soil should not dry out too much between waterings.

A layer of mulch will help the soil to retain moisture and keep the roots cool.

Fertilizer

Passion flower plants need to be fertilized every 4 to 6 weeks over spring and summer.

Passionflowers growing in container

Pests & Diseases

Passion flower plants can be affected by aphids, spider mites, white flies and fungal diseases.

Pruning

In warmer climates Passion flower vines will need to be cut back in winter or early spring to control the size of the plant.

Pruning also helps to make the plant fuller and increases flower production.

Harvesting and using Passion flowers

Passion flower leaves can be dried and used to make herbal tea, infusions and decoctions.

To dry the leaves, remove them from the stem and lay them flat to dry.

Once they’re dry, place them in an airtight container, out of direct sunlight.

Passion flower tea can be made by brewing 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried leaves in hot water. Allow the tea to steep for 10 minutes before drinking.

passionflower

Will Passion flowers grow in a container? 

Passion flowers can be grown in containers, especially in cold areas.

In summer you can take your containers outside and before winter the containers can be moved indoors near a sunny window.

Can Passion flowers grow in the shade?

Passion flower vines are best grown in full sun to partial shade. They need at least four hours of sunlight a day.

In warmer climates they require afternoon shade.

Passion flower

Are Passion flowers frost tolerant?

Passion flower vines will be killed off during winter in cold climates, but if you mulch deeply, the roots will survive and produce new shoots in the spring.

Passion flowers are fast growing plants that look great growing on trellises, pergolas and fences.

They can take a few years to bloom, but their beautiful flowers make it worth the wait.

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Have you tried growing Passion flowers in your garden? Let me know in the comments below.

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Kelly Martin

Hi, I'm Kelly Martin, a landscape gardener and designer with over 10 years experience. I have a passion for small space gardening and I love designing and creating beautiful outdoor spaces that maximize the potential of small urban gardens. Read more

This Post Has 14 Comments

  1. AscendingButterfly

    So happy to read this part especially: “Passion flowers can be grown in containers, especially in cold areas.” <- I am an apartment dweller in NYC – we have more cold months than warm here so it is good to know this flower can handle a container and a cooler windowsill.

  2. Nigar Rahman

    I have a little more idea of growing passion flowers but something new to learn from here. I love this flower,its colors are so charming!

  3. jennifer schreiner

    These are just beautiful. I have always afraid to grow such beautiful flowers based on the care that they need. I love how you broke it down so nicely.

  4. Anita Alig

    Hi Kelly,

    Thank you for the wonderful introduction to this beautiful flower. For a complete beginner, what’s the easiest way to grow them?

  5. Ronnie

    They are such beautiful flowers with such vivid colors! I would love to have these in my garden and invite the bees and humming birds to enjoy them.

  6. Ntensibe Edgar Michael

    Those are so beautiful! They can basically thrive here in Uganda. We got plenty of sunshine where I am now.

  7. Emman Damian

    Great tips on how to grow Passion flowers! It’s really easy to follow and your suggestions are good!

  8. Blairvillanueva

    Oh wow that is a truly flamboyant flower! So unique, and I wish we have that here in the Philippines.

  9. Kristine Nicole Alessandra

    That is a beautiful flower! I wish I could grow some but the weather in my place is so unpredictable I don’t think such a delicate flower will survive. I can at least try, right? 🙂

  10. WanderlustBeautyDreams

    What a unique looking flower. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in person, thanks for sharing!

  11. Melanie williams

    Never heard of passion flowers before, but these look totally beautiful xx

  12. Sarah M

    Passionflower has a nice flower face 😀 and these flowers are looking so unique. Thanks for providing all the information about growing this plant.

  13. Mary Honeycutt

    When I lived in Mobile, AL Passion Flowers vines grew wild up trees. I had never seen them before until then. They are some of the most beautiful & unique flowers I’ve ever seen! I live in north AL now & am glad to know how to grow them here. Thanks for the good info on these awesome flowers!

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