Passionfruit trees are great, they only take up wall space and are one of the easiest fruit trees to grow. Although it does need some pruning for maximum fruit output, it is quite minimal. Be sure to do your pruning in early spring to promote growth and flowering. Most plants will do the bulk of their growing during the spring and summer months. Passionfruit trees are very fast growers and are known for taking over areas where they are planted. They will grow on your wall and over the fence onto your neighbors wall. The good news is that you can just trim them up to keep them at a good size. They are an easy choice for a pergola or an arbor given the great coverage they provide. On top of its delicious fruit, the vine also provides a beautiful display of flowers. The white and purple flowers are unmistakable and will catch your eye once you spot them. Like other fruit plants, once the flowers are pollinated, they turn into the fruit that we all know. A common issue with passionfruit vines is the flowers not being pollinated and therefore no fruit being produced. This issue can be resolved most easily by getting a self-pollinating variety. If you have the other variety of vine, you can plant another passionfruit vine in the same proximity to give yourself a better chance of them pollinating each other.
| Common Names | Passionfruit Tree |
| Scientific Name | Passiflora Edulis |
| Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Soil | Well-draining |
| Soil pH | 5.5-6.5 |
| Max Height/Length | 10-20 ft (3-6m) |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Fruiting Time | Spring, Autumn |
| Fruit Color | Purple or Yellow |
| Flower Color | White and Purple |
| Hardiness | Zones 9-11 |
| Climate | Tropical, Subtropical |
| Native Country | South America |
| Animal Toxicity | Non-toxic |
| Maintenance | Low-Moderate, Needs Pruning for Highest Fruit Yield |
| Lifespan | 5-7 Years |
| Common Pests | Aphids, Spider Mites, Caterpillars, Nematodes |
| Propagation | Seeds, Cuttings |
Light
Passionfruit Trees require full sun or as much as you can give it. A north or south facing wall would be best to capture the light all day long. The plant really needs to see at least 5 hours of sun each day. If the plant is not flowering, it may be because it’s too young or is not getting enough sunlight. The passionfruit tree can take anywhere from 6-18 months to flower and fruit depending on its environment.
Water
The plant will need watering everyday when it is young. It is also a good idea to water daily when it is producing fruit and flowers. Once the passionfruit tree is more established, you won’t need to water it as much. Be sure to water them if you have hot temperatures for extended periods of time. That being said, your other plants will probably need the same attention. Especially the undeveloped plants in your garden.
Soil
This plant thrives with well-draining soil that can be achieved through adding some coarseness like mulch, perlite, vermiculite and coconut coir or husk. Compost and fertilizers are always necessary for optimal plant health. Keep topping up the plant with fertilizer for nutrients every 2 weeks in the growing seasons (springtime) and cutting back in the more dormant seasons. Also, it is a good idea to use compost on your garden soil every 12-18 months to ensure that the soil maintains its nutrients as well.
We hope that this has helped you with your passionfruit tree and that you will be enjoying some purple fruits this harvest. Check out our blogs page for other types of tropical fruit trees to plant in your garden.