Purple Granadilla (Passiflora edulis)

How often to water a Purple Granadilla

Medium is the water rating Passiflora edulis carries, on both the low and high end of its range. One source rates its drought tolerance as moderate, keeping it in the middle of the scale rather than at either extreme. Plant it in soil that drains well but can also handle being occasionally wet.

• Water: Medium¹

Best soil for a Purple Granadilla

Well-drained soil suits Passiflora edulis best. Even so, it can tolerate soil that is occasionally wet, along with sand, loam, or clay textures. Together, these ratings describe a soil that sheds extra water quickly but is not harmed by an occasional wet stretch. Soil pH can run from 6 to 7.5, a range described as near-neutral to slightly alkaline. Despite that wide tolerance, slightly acid soils are the best fit for this vine.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and occasionally wet^2,3
• Soil pH: pH 6–7.5²

Temperature and humidity

Cold hardiness for this vine runs down to about 25°F (-4°C) before damage sets in. Exposure to temperatures in the mid-20s Fahrenheit can kill the entire vine back to the ground. Separately, extension sources also place this vine in USDA hardiness zones 9b through 11b.

• Minimum temperature: 24.8 °F (-4 °C)⁴

Fertilizing a Purple Granadilla

Feed Passiflora edulis from late winter through fall. Applications are spaced four to six weeks apart during that stretch, which runs roughly from February through November. In practice, that works out to feeding roughly once a month through the growing season. No feeding is reported for the winter months outside that stretch.

• Fertilizer: Monthly in the growing season (Feb–Nov)⁴

Pruning a Purple Granadilla

You prune Passiflora edulis in January and February. At this time, take out any dead or weak stems. Cut them back to a point where the remaining stem is vigorous and healthy. This is the only pruning reported for this vine. Extension guidance limits this pruning to dead and weak growth only.

• Pruning: Remove dead growth only (Jan–Feb)⁴

How to propagate a Purple Granadilla

You can propagate Passiflora edulis from seed, from stem cuttings, or by grafting. Cuttings and fresh seed are both named as ways to start new plants. Grafting is listed as a further option for this vine. Whichever method you choose, all three are reported ways to grow a new Passiflora edulis. No other propagation method is reported for this vine.

• Propagation: Seed, stem cuttings and grafting²

Common problems

Nematodes can be a serious problem for this vine. Other common pests include caterpillars, the gulf fritillary caterpillar, fruit flies, mites, aphids, and stink bugs. Several diseases are also reported, among them passion fruit woodiness virus, brown spot, and fusarium wilt. Collar rot, root and crown rot, anthracnose, scab, and bacterial spot round out the list. These are the pests and diseases reported for this vine.

• Common pests: nematodes, caterpillars, gulf fritillary caterpillar, fruit flies, mites, aphids and stink bugs^3,5
• Common diseases: passion fruit woodiness virus, brown spot, fusarium wilt, collar rot, root and crown rot, anthracnose, scab and bacterial spot⁵

Questions and answers

Is Passiflora edulis toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes, Passiflora edulis is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs. One listing rates its severity for cats as medium, with no separate rating given for dogs.

How often should you water Passiflora edulis?

This vine has medium water needs and a moderate tolerance for drought. Plant it in soil that drains well but can also handle being occasionally wet.

How do you propagate Passiflora edulis?

You can propagate Passiflora edulis from seed, from stem cuttings, or by grafting. All three methods are reported ways to start a new plant, with no single method singled out as the only option.