A vigorous plant from Brazil and Argentina, the passion flower or blue passion flower has deep green, angular stems and climbs by using twisting tendrils. It (lowers while still quite young, producing fat green buds along the stems from which uncurl the characteristic flowers, each of which grows to 4 in. (10 cm) across.
The flowers are complex in appearance, consisting of five white sepals and five white petals of equal length, surrounding a circle of filaments shaded blue-purple, with a white band in the middle. Held prominently within this arrangement are five golden-yellow anthers and three brown stigmas. The flowers are followed by egg-shaped, orange yellow fruits. P. Amethyst’ has pinkish-mauve flowers and dark filaments; P. c. ‘Constance Elliott’ has ivory-white flowers.
Size: Spread up to 20 ft. (6 m) if left unchecked.
Light: Direct sunlight.
Temperature: Normal room from spring to fall, with a winter rest period at around 50°F (10°C).
Moisture: Keep thoroughly moist from spring to fall. In winter, apply only enough water to prevent the soil drying out.
Feeding: Use standard liquid fertilizer every two weeks in spring and summer.
Propagation: Take 4 in. (10 cm) tip cuttings in summer.
Special needs: Older plants can be pruned hard in spring if necessary.