Among all the many different species of Passiflora, one of the most popular is the blue passion flower. The climbing plant, originally native to parts of Brazil and Argentina, enchants with its magnificent blue-white flowers, which are up to 10 centimeters in size on average.
Cultivation of the blue passion flower
The blue passion flower can be kept both as a houseplant and in the garden, on the balcony or in the greenhouse. It is quite easy to care for, but - like all passion flowers - needs a lot of light, regular fertilization and a climbing aid. With indoor plants, the usual round arches usually become too small very quickly, since the Passiflora caerulea is very vigorous. It is therefore better to use upright climbing aids (e.g. a bamboo frame or a trellis). The blue passion flower is one of the few from the large family of passion flower plants that is frost hardy even as a young plant at temperatures of up to -15 °C. Older specimens are said to be even less sensitive. Nevertheless, planting out is only recommended in climatically favorable regions such as wine-growing regions. Good winter protection, covering the roots in particular, is essential. The frozen upper parts of the plant are removed and the plant will sprout again in the spring, provided the roots are healthy.
Varieties of Passiflora caerulea
As a result of intensive breeding and the discovery of plants with mutations, there are now some interesting varieties of blue passionflower on the market, of which "Constance Eliott" is particularly noteworthy because of its pure white flowers and its intense fragrance. In the following list you will find some particularly beautiful breeds of blue passion flower.
- Constance Eliott
- chinensis
- Pierre Pomie
- Wild Brazil
- Gala
- Majorca
- Spyder
More hardy passiflora
In addition to the blue passion flower, there are a number of other species that have a certain degree of insensitivity to winter temperatures simply because of their origin. Of these, Passiflora incarnata (also known as flesh-colored or hardy passionflower) is probably one of the most interesting: its flower is characterized by about 100 wavy, fringed appendages. This species is also used as a medicinal plant in naturopathy and homeopathy. In 2011 it was voted medicinal plant of the year.
| Passion flower - Art | flower color | flower size | growth height | frost hardiness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passiflora violacea | violet | up to approx. 12 centimeters | in buckets up to one meter | up to approx. - 10 °C |
| P. tucumanensis | blue-white/purple-white banded | up to approx. 7 centimeters | high | up to approx. - 15 °C |
| P. incarnata (flesh colored passion flower) | different | up to approx. 8 centimetres, with fringe-like, wavy appendages | up to 6 meters | up to approx. - 15 °C |
| P.lutea | light green to white | up to approx. 2.5 centimeters | high | up to approx. - 15 °C |
tips and tricks
The blue passion flower forms orange-yellow, egg-shaped fruits, which are inedible. However, they often contain a large number of seeds from which you can grow seedlings yourself and thus new plants of the blue passion flower variety.