Passiflora edulis
Granadilla, passion fruit, maracuja, edible passionflower: the name “passionflower” does not come from romance but from the 16th-century Jesuit missionaries, who saw in its complex flower the symbols of the Passion of Christ—the crown of thorns in its filaments and the three nails in its stigmas. An extraordinary flower, followed by a no less remarkable fruit.
Characteristics:
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Vigorous vine: a tendril-climbing plant, it reaches 5 to 6 metres and quickly covers a support.
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Spectacular flowers: a unique structure with a crown of filaments, fragrant and fascinatingly complex.
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Edible fruits: the maracujas, with their fragrant, tangy pulp, are eaten with a teaspoon.
Precautions:
- Frost-sensitive plant: it cannot tolerate frost and can only be grown outdoors in the ground in Mediterranean regions. Elsewhere, grow it in a large pot to overwinter in a conservatory or greenhouse.
- Only eat perfectly ripe fruits, when the skin begins to wrinkle slightly: this is when they taste best. Green fruits should not be eaten.
Sowing advice:
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Position: full sun, in a warm location sheltered from cold winds.
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Soil: rich in humus, light and well drained, while retaining moisture during summer—this is the balance to achieve. An addition of compost is beneficial; however, it is sensitive to waterlogged roots.
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Method: no cold stratification—this tropical species needs warmth. Soak the seeds for 24 to 48 hours in lukewarm water, then sow them 1 cm deep in a substrate kept moist at 25 °C. Germination is unpredictable and irregular: allow 2 weeks to 2 months. See how to sow your seeds.
Planting advice:
- Plant in spring, outdoors in the ground in Mediterranean regions, or in a large pot elsewhere, on a balcony or terrace with plenty of sunlight.
- Train it from planting along a wall, trellis or pergola: its tendrils need a support to cling to.
Care advice:
- Water regularly in summer, especially when grown in a pot. Mulch around the base to retain moisture.
- Prune at the end of winter to aerate and contain the vine: it fruits on the current year's wood.
Harvesting advice:
- Wait for the fruits to fall naturally or for their skin to wrinkle: at this stage, the pulp reaches its maximum flavour. A smooth, firm fruit is still too acidic.
Benefits for biodiversity:
- Its complex, nectar-rich flowers are highly sought after by large bumblebees, the only ones powerful enough to force their way in.
- Its dense foliage on a support provides welcome shelter for insects and birds.
Uses:
- Fruit eaten fresh with a spoon, or used in juice, coulis or desserts. The vine is also remarkably ornamental when grown on a pergola.
Symbolism:
The passionflower takes its name from the symbolic interpretation given to it by missionaries: the crown of thorns, nails and wounds of the Passion. It remains associated with faith and spirituality.
Harvesting your own seeds:
Remove the pulp from a very ripe fruit, leave it to ferment for two to three days in a little water, then rinse thoroughly: the black seeds will separate from the aril. Dry them and sow them promptly, as their germination capacity decreases over time. See how to store your seeds.
Commitment to Quality: at SemiSauvage - Permaculture, we grow and select our seeds with respect for all living things as our guiding principle. Based near the Auvergne Volcanoes, we choose reproducible, non-hybrid varieties, tested for their germination rate, carefully sorted and packaged, with no chemical treatment. Our belief: to give gardeners back the ability to resow, year after year, seeds that truly belong to them.
Add an exotic touch to your garden with these granadilla seeds.
