Common Name: Passion Flower

General Information

Passiflora × exoniensis is an evergreen climbing shrub, producing stems up to 5 metres long and attaching itself to other plants by means of coiling tendrils[].
A hybrid species between Passiflora antioquiensis x Passiflora mollisima, it is often grown as an ornamental, its fruit being enjoyed by gardeners[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

A hybrid of garden origin, Passiflora antioquiensis x Passiflora mollissima

Habitat

Not known in a wild situation

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental

Cultivation Details

Passiflora × exoniensis succeeds in warm, essentially frost-free temperate zones, through the subtropics to moderate elevations in the tropics[]. The top growth can tolerate temperatures down to about -3°c, though the roots are somewhat hardier and will often resprout if the top growth is killed[]. Plants require a temperature no lower than around 16°c when they are flowering in order to ensure fruit set[].
Requires a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil and a position in dappled shade where it can grow up towards the sun[]. Prefers a circumneutral soil, disliking very acid or very alkaline conditions[]. Passiflora species tend to flower and fruit more freely when grown in soils of only moderate fertility[].
Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back to ground level if required to rejuvenate the plant[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[]..
If fruit is required, especially when the plant is grown indoors, it is best to hand pollinate using pollen from a flower that has been open for 12 hours to pollinate a newly opened flower before midday[, ]. The flowers open in sunny weather and do not open on dull cloudy days[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. It is especially well-flavoured[]. The yellow, banana-shaped fruit is 75 - 90cm long[].

Medicinal

The leaves and roots of some, if not all, members of this genus contain a substance called 'passiflorina' which has similaritiesr to morphine and is an effective tranquilizer[]. We have no specific information for this species but many species are used in herbal infusions to calm the nerves and help bring about a restful sleep[].
The leaves of many species are also considered to be anthelmintic, antihysteric and diaphoretic. They are used in Brazil to combat intermittent fevers, cutaneous inflammations, and erysipelas[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. If sown in January and grown on fast it can flower and fruit in its first year[]. The seed germinates in 1 - 12 months at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. It you are intending to grow the plants outdoors, it is probably best to keep them in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Mulch the roots well in late autumn to protect them from the cold. This species is a hybrid and, as such, will not breed true from seed.
Cuttings of young shoots, 15cm with a heel, in spring[, ]. The cuttings root best in a neutral to slightly acid compost, but 100% sharp sand also produces good results[].
Leaf bud cuttings in spring.
Cuttings of fully mature wood in early summer. Takes 3 months. High percentage[].