Originally from Central and South America, the passion flowers are a very species- and variant-rich plant family, most of which are not hardy. However, some representatives can be cultivated in a pot outdoors or on the balcony without any problems, others are better off in a winter garden.
Climbing plant passionflower
Most Passiflora, as the passion flower is called botanically, belong to the perennial climbing plants or grow as woody lianas with age. However, the fast-growing shoots do not form any adhesive feet with which the plants - such as ivy - anchor themselves in walls and masonry. Instead, the numerous tendrils prefer to wind around trellises or similar climbing aids. In autumn, the shoots can be easily detached and cut back heavily in order to trim the Passiflora, which is several meters high, for the winter quarters. It will sprout again the following spring.
Passion flowers for balconies and terraces
| passiflora | German name | flower size | flower color | fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P.caerulea | Blue passion flower | up to 10 cm | blue White | edible, not very tasty |
| P. vitifolia | Vine Leaf Passion Flower | up to 16 cm | bright red | edible |
| P. morifolia | Mulberry-leaved passion flower | up to 3.5 cm | white-violet | plum-like, not edible |
| P. mollissima | Curuba passion flower | up to 12 cm | pink | similar to small bananas, edible |
| P. ligularis | Sweet grenadilla | up to 10 cm | white-violet | edible |
| P. antioquiensis | Red Banana Passion Flower | up to 13 cm | Red | similar to small bananas, edible |
| P.edulis | passion fruit | up to 8 cm | white-purple | edible |
Passion flowers need light and warmth
As a rule, passion flowers come from tropical or subtropical regions and therefore, with a few exceptions, love both the sun and the warmth. A sunny and sheltered spot on a south- or south-west-facing balcony is therefore best suited. Of the Passiflora species listed in the table above that are suitable for the balcony, only Passiflora antioquiensis should not be exposed to the blazing sun. In winter, passion flowers should not be kept outside, but in a bright room under cold house conditions at a maximum of 10 °C.
tips and tricks
Passion flowers can be cultivated in a suitable balcony box. For two plants, this should hold about 15 liters of substrate and be up to 100 centimeters long. On the other hand, if you plant your Passiflora in a bucket, don't choose it too big. In large pots, the plant quickly becomes lazy.