Passiflora x violacea or Violet Passion Flower

Care of the climbing plant Passiflora x violacea or Violet Passion Flower

The genus Passiflora, family Passifloraceae, comprises 400 species of climbing plants native to America, Australia and Asia. Some species are: Passiflora x violacea, Passiflora x decaisneana, Passiflora vitifolia, Passiflora caerulea, Passiflora cincinnata, Passiflora edulis, Passiflora manicata, Passiflora antioquiensis, Passiflora incarnata, Passiflora actinia, Passiflora murucuja.

Common name: Violet Passion Flower. It's a hybrid between the Passiflora racemosa and Passiflora caerulea species.

They are perennial climbing plants with rounded stems that reach 8 meters (26.24 feet) in length. The leaves usually have 3 lobes although sometimes they have 5. The showy and curious purple flowers measure 10 cm (3.93") in diameter. They bloom in spring and summer. They produce green, egg-shaped fruits.

These easy-to-grow plants are used in pots for patios, terraces and greenhouses and to cover fences and pergolas. They need supports to climb.

Passiflora x violacea can grow in full sun or semi-shade exposure protected from the wind and cold. The winter temperature should not be less than 7 ºC (44.6 ºF).

The soil should be well drained and contain some organic matter. The transplant is done in early spring.

Water frequently in spring and summer so that the substrate does not dry out completely but without flooding. In autumn, reduce watering and in winter water moderately. They prefer high or medium humidity.

Fertilize with compost in late winter or early spring and with mineral fertilizer every 3 weeks in spring and summer.

Prune in late winter to keep it compact and control growth.

In greenhouses they can be attacked by mites and whiteflies if the humidity is low.

They are propagated from cuttings in spring or summer.