Passiflora edulis

PlantFile Report Copyright © 2000 - 2025 Peter Kirkland - www.plantfile.com Plant Profile
Plant
ID 566 Passiflora edulis
Botanic Name Passiflora edulis
Common Name Purple Passionfruit, Purple Grandilla
Family Name Passifloraceae
Cultivars
Origin South America, Brazil, Zone 10-12
Growth Type Climber
Bark Type Woody
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Medium
No. of Species 400
Growth Habit Climbing-twining Growth Rate Fast
Height 2 - 4 m (7 - 13 ft) Spread 4 m (13 ft)
Plant Overview
This vigorous vine has slender twinning stems with tendrils and forms a dense cover over structures. It has large glossy dark green lobed leaves and the purple to white saucer-shaped flowers appear in summer followed by purplish edible fruit.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Lobed
The 120 mm (4 ¾ in) long by 140 mm (5 ½ in) wide lobed leaves have a slender petiole up to 50 mm (2 in) long and the undulating margins are deeply incised forming 3-lobes that are finely serrated. The axillary tendrils are unbranched.
Arrangement Alternate
Margin Serrate
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 80 - 120 mm ( 3.1 - 4.7 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Crateriform
The crateriform flowers have purple filaments as the inner ring, then becoming white towards the stamens and the petals and sepals are white-purple lying underneath. They appear solitary during summer.
Inflorescence Solitary
Colour Purple - white
Size 60 - 80 mm ( 2.4 - 3.1 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Berry Additional Information
Colour Green
The 50 mm (2 in) wide obovoid berry is green turning dark purple when ripe and has a wrinkled appearance. The 5 mm (1/8 in) long seeds are orange to lemon colour and are viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively.
Edible Yes
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 30 - 50 mm ( 1.2 - 2.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, moist, fertile sandy to light loamy soil, acidic, pH 6.5-7.5
Container Large pots, tubs, planter boxes, under glass in frost prone climates
Climate Tropical
Aspect Full sun, protected position, light frost and drought tolerant
Pest & Diseases Cold damage, passion vine hopper, leaf spots, caterpillars, scale, mealybug
Fertiliser Complete fertiliser application during fruiting period, added compost and keep moist
Pruning Remove old growth to thin out after flowering, tolerates a light prune to contain
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Purple Passionfruit is grown for its fruit and foliage. It is grown over trellis, pergolas or wire fences and can be used as a screen or for shade. It is commonly grown commercially for its fruit and establishes in 1 to 2 years but is short lived
Take a soft tip cuttings and semi-hardwood cuttings during summer. Stem cuttings can also be taken during the growing period and the plant roots from the nodes. This plant can be grafted onto P.caerula rootstocks.
© 2025 PlantFileonline. All Rights Reserved.
Designed and Developed by Tatvasoft Australia