Twining stems divided into three twisting lobes climb 16 to 32 feet, carrying flowers whose parts were once read as the instruments of Christ’s Passion. Blue passion flower (Passiflora caerulea) is practically the only one grown outdoors in temperate gardens, and given a thick winter mulch over its base it will clothe a pergola for years.
| Name | Passiflora caerulea |
|---|---|
| Family | Passifloraceae, the passion flower family |
| Type | Vine |
| Height | 16 to 32 feet (5 to 10 m) |
| Exposure | Full sun |
| Soil | Ordinary but well drained |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Flowering | Late spring to mid-autumn |
| Hardiness | Down to 14°F (-10°C) |
It was originally found in the tropical Americas and is frequently cultivated in hotter regions of the planet.
In the days of Moctezuma, passion flowers were grown in the Aztec lords’ gardens.
They were introduced in Europe in the 17th century and the plant immediately became part of local medicinal plant lore as a famed antispasmodic agent.
In the flower itself, the faith-imbued people of the time imagined that the flower’s different parts symbolized various instruments used in the Passion of Christ (hammer and nails, crown of thorns…). This is what gave the flower its name.
The passion flower that is cultivated in our temperate latitudes is the Passiflora caerulea or blue passion flower.
You can plant your blue passion flower vine in the fall or in the spring, as long as freezing is over. It is a plant that doesn’t care much about the kind of soil it is planted in, but it will feel most comfortable in rich and well-drained soil.
The passion flower must develop its root system in the ground over the first year before the cold sets in.
There are 2 techniques to multiply your blue passion flower: sowing from seeds and propagating cuttings.
Passion flower seeds can be sown all year long; note that seeds must be soaked for 24 hours before sowing.
You can also multiply passion flower with cuttings over the summer, ideally from June to September.
Blue passion flower can be raised from seed, struck from cuttings, or simply planted out as a young vine. Each route has its own season and its own handling.
| Method | When | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing from seed | All year round | Soak the seeds for 24 hours before sowing |
| Cuttings | Early summer to early autumn | Take 6-inch (15 cm) cuttings from new stems that have not flowered, keep only the top pair of leaves and root them in a warm, moist greenhouse |
| Planting out | Autumn or spring, once frosts are over | Set in rich, well-drained soil and water frequently; never plant in winter or during a heat wave |
Whichever method you choose, the young vine needs its first season to root well before the cold arrives.
Prune the plant after it has bloomed in order to reduce its growth.
It develops quickly, and pruning will serve to increase the following year’s flower-bearing.
In case of harsh winter climate, prefer planting in pots that can be brought in frost-free storage before temperatures fall below freezing.
Conversely, in case of mild winter climate, you may plant your Passiflora caerulea in the ground and mulch its base with a thick layer of mulch.
Water your passion flower generously after planting and then again during the summer in case of strong heat waves.
Passion flower water needs depend on temperature and climate, so check if it would rain before watering.
Passion flowers grown in pots dry out far faster than those in the ground, so check the top inch of compost and water as soon as it feels dry.
Cut watering right back on plants overwintered indoors, giving only enough to stop the rootball drying out completely.
Once established in open ground, this vine tolerates short dry spells reasonably well, though many growers still recommend watering regularly during prolonged drought rather than waiting until the leaves begin to droop.
The Passiflora genus numbers over 500 species and they don’t all share the same cultivation needs nor do they cope evenly in similar climates.
Passiflora caerula is practically the only cultivar that is grown outdoors in our temperate climates, and here it is together with other interesting varieties:
Magnificent climbing vines with flowers that recall the symbols of the Passion of Christ, its name is directly inspired from this coincidence.
Passion flowers have long flower-bearing twining stems divided in three twisting lobes that let the plant hang on outcropping objects.
Passion flowers grow mostly in milder Asian and Central American climates. However, several varieties also grow in more temperate climates like the blue passion flower, Passiflora caerulea.
You can let it grow alongside a wall with a lattice, and it will perfectly embellish a pergola or serve as an indoor plant.
Passion flower infusion, let 1 oz (25 g) of flowers steep 25 minutes in 1 quart (1 liter) boiling water. Drink 2 to 3 cups daily, with at least 1 cup an hour before going to bed. This reduces anxiety, enhances sleep, and helps withdraw from addictions like alcohol.
Passion flower tincture – macerate 7 oz (200 g) of dried, crushed flowers in 1 quart (1 liter) of 60% (volume) alcohol. Close the bottle and keep for 10 days, shaking it from time to time. Filter. Drink 40 to 50 drops of this tincture before sleeping.
High doses of passion flower may lead to sleepiness or even provoke reduced states of consciousness. So… be careful
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In colder climates, cover the base well with a thick layer of mulch over the winter to protect it from the cold.
