Passion flowers bring exotic flair to your garden and are ideal for cultivation in tubs. We'll show you what to look out for.
The passion flower (Passiflora) is popular as a houseplant, but can also spend the summer in a bucket on the balcony or terrace. Bring exotic charm into your home with this extraordinary plant. The pretty flowers also have a deep meaning and are reminiscent of the Passion of Christ. In order for you to be able to enjoy a magnificent flower, a few care instructions must be observed.
Special features of the passion flower
The striking flowers are characteristic of the passion flower. Christians see in it the story of Christ's Passion made clear. The stamens stand for the wounds carried away, the three scars symbolize the nails needed for the crucifixion. The crown of thorns can be seen in the corona of rays formed from stamens. The ten petals are understood to represent the apostles present at the crucifixion. The Trinity is symbolized on the back covers. This interpretation gave the plant its name.
| Passiflora | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | depending on the variety, herbaceous or woody, climbing |
| Growth: | depending on the variety, more than 10 m possible |
| Root system: | partly underground root suckers |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | permeable soil |
Origin of Passion Flower
The passion flower belongs to the passion flower family. This genus includes more than 500 species. In addition, countless hybrids have been bred from the individual varieties. The natural home of the passion flower is in the tropics of South America. But there are also natural deposits in Asia and Australia.
Healing Effects of Passion Flower
The passion flower has a scientifically proven healing effect. The antispasmodic and calming effect is recommended for nervous restlessness. Clinical studies have confirmed the effect and at the same time made it clear that the mode of action in connection with valerianor lemon balm to intensify.
Passion flower is mainly used for anxiety and restlessness or mental palpitations or headaches. The anxiolytic effect was officially confirmed in 2022.
Plant Passion Flower
Suitable location for the passion flower
So that the hobby gardener can enjoy the expressive blossoms of the passion flower, a warm and sunny location is required. In summer, the plants may be placed on the balcony or terrace. However, you should make sure that there is an adequate water supply and avoid waterlogging.
Ideal substrate for passion flowers
Conventional potting soil can be used as a substrate. In order to prevent waterlogging, the granules should be well permeable. This can be achieved by adding sand or clay granules. The addition of compost also creates ideal growth conditions.
Tip: The soil pH should be between 5.8 and 6.8.
Planting passion flowers - step by step
1. Select planter
2. Prepare substrate
3. Lay drainage
4. Fill in substrate
5. Insert plant in the middle
6. Fill up substrate7. Press the bottom gently
8. Attach the climbing support
9. Water the plant
In order to give the passion flower the necessary stability and at the same time not to keep the nutrient supply too short, it is important to ensure that the planter is sufficiently large and correspondingly heavy. When choosing, it is also important to consider that the climbing aid can be easily integrated into the plant pot.
To prevent waterlogging, some potsherds are placed in the bottom of the vessel as drainage.
Repot passion flower
You have to repot the plant about every two to three years. This is not only because the planter becomes too small over time. It is also important to replace the substrate, which will wear out over time and will hardly provide the plants with any nutrients. In any case, replant the passion flower when the soil is completely rooted, there is hardly any substrate left and the roots are already protruding from the bottom of the container or are visible on the surface.
Repotting is preferred when the growth phase has not yet started, between February and March. Replace the soil completely. You should choose the new planter at least three centimeters larger than the old one.
An overview of the most important planting tips
| Activity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Set Location | • warm • sunny • breezy |
| Select substrate | • permeable • rich in nutrients • pH value: 5.8 to 6.8 |
| planting | • Guarantee stability • Attach climbing aid • Drainage against waterlogging |
Caring for Passion Flower
Water the passion flower properly
Water the passion flower regularly but not too intensively. With potted plants there is always a risk of waterlogging. The water requirement increases with the beginning of the growth phase in April. From October you will need to water less accordingly.
Tip: Passion flowers are often sensitive to hard tap water. It is therefore preferable to water with rainwater or stagnant water.
Fertilize passion flower properly
Only fertilize the passion flower during the growth phase. You can add a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants to the irrigation water every two weeks. Fertilization is not necessary in winter, but the plant should be lightly sprayed with water from time to time. This prevents an infestation with spider mites.
Pruning passion flower
In order to promote flowering, the passion flower is cut in early spring, before it sprout. The side shoots are shortened to a maximum of three to five eyes. Larger plants can be cut back to the height of the trellis in autumn for better hibernation.
You can see what this can look like in the following video:
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Propagating Passion Flower
Propagation by cuttings is quite easy to do:
1. Cut the cuttings
2. Remove the lower leaves
3. Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone
4. Place the cuttings in a peat-sand mixture
5. Cover the planter with a plastic hood
6. Set up the planter bright and warm
7. Keep the cutting slightly moist
8. Wait for rooting
Cut the cuttings to a length of about 15 centimeters in early summer. The incision is made just below the leaf node. For the cuttings to root, temperatures of at least 20 degrees are required.
The budding shows whether the rooting was successful. As soon as new pairs of leaves appear,the cover can be removed. You should now fertilize the little plants a little and set them up in a brighter spot. In the coming spring you can repot the plants and cultivate them as already described
Crossing passion flowers
Crossing the plants is an exciting challenge for the hobby gardener.
This can be done as follows:
1. Choose flowers from two different varieties
2. Use tweezers to remove an anther from the donor flower
3. Gently brush the pollen onto the stigma of the second flower
4. Cover the flower
It is important that the flower is wrapped in a bag or a tea filter after pollination so that the purity of the variety can be guaranteed and no foreign pollen joins it. A successful crossing will produce fruit. Seeds are removed and sown next summer. With a bit of luck you can cultivate a new variety.
Passion flowers over winter
You should bring the frost-sensitive exotics indoors in October at the latest. The plants hibernate in light and, depending on the variety, at temperatures between five and 15 degrees. There is less watering during the rest period between October and March.
Tip: The plants dry out over the winter. This is normal and not due to casting defects.
If the plants are to spend the summer on the balcony or terrace, they must gradually get used to the summer temperatures after the winter. Otherwise the leaves could burn. The plants are initially placed in a shady to partially shaded location for about 14 days. The passion flower should only be exposed to the morning or evening sun. After the adjustment phase, the sun place can be occupied.