The passion flower, which comes from the tropics, is a real all-rounder. It embellishes balconies and gardens with its exotic-looking flowers and has been used as a medicinal plant for generations. Some varieties enchant garden visitors with a pleasant scent. All 520 known Passiflora species can even form fruit under good conditions. However, only the passion fruits of sixty known species are suitable for consumption. We present a selection of hardy varieties and provide information about the edibility of the fruits.
Hardy passion flowers
From C - L
Passiflora caerulea
The passion flower caerulea is also known under the name "blue passion flower". It is particularly popular because of its beautiful large flowers. The white-purple flowers can reach a diameter of up to 10 centimeters. However, Passiflora caerulea is only conditionally hardy. It can withstand temperatures of down to -7 °C with a cover of leaves and brushwood.
- Flower: blue-violet
- Fruit: apple-sized, yellow, inedible but not poisonous
- Location: sunny
- Height: climbing up to 10 meters
- Feature: emits a peculiar, pleasant scent
- Winter hardiness: down to -7 °C
Passilora incarnata
The passion flower incarnata is one of the best known hardy passion flowers. It is also referred to as the "fleshy passion flower". It can withstand temperatures down to -20 °C without damage. The plant freezes back and then sprout again in spring.
- Flower: violet
- Fruit: about 6 cm, oval, yellow, edible
- Taste: sweet-sour, fruity, intense
- Location: sunny
- Height: 120 to 140 centimeters
- Characteristics: strong climbing, climbing aid necessary, pleasantly fragrant
- Winter hardiness: down to -20 °C
Flesh colored passion fruit, Passiflora incarnata
Passionflower Ladybirds Dream
A beautiful hardy passion flower is also the variety Ladybirds Dream. Because with its dark violet to purple flowers, it gives your garden a touch of the exotic. The Ladybirds Dream variety is considered to be easy to care for and particularly floriferous.
- Flower: dark violet to purple
- Location: partially shaded to sunny
- Height: 1.5 meters
- Feature: very easy to care for
- Winter hardiness: down to -10 °C
Passion flower lutea
The conditionally hardy passion flowers also include the variety Passiflora lutea, the "yellow passion flower", which comes from North America. It tolerates winter temperatures down to -15 °C. It can withstand temperatures as low as -30 °C for a short time. But good winter protection made of brushwood or fleece is also important. In summer, the plant spoils you with its small, delicate flowers.
- Flower: light yellow, cream-colored, diameter 1.5 centimeters
- Location: partially shaded
- Height: 3 to 5 meters climbing
- Feature: suitable for butterfly gardens
- Winter hardiness: down to -15 °C
From T - V
Passion flower tucumanensis
The passion flower tucumansensis, which comes from Bolivia, is enjoying increasing popularity and can be found more and more often in German gardens. It is also one of the few hardy passion flowers and can withstand temperatures of -15 °C.
- Flower: white with a violet, bell-shaped corona
- Fruit: round, yellow, 3 centimeters in diameter, edible
- Taste: fruity, sour
- Location: sunny
- Height: 2 meters climbing
- Characteristic: fruits only on older plants
- Winter hardiness: down to -15 °C
Passion flower violacea
The passion flower violacea is considered conditionally hardy, it tolerates temperatures of down to -8 °C. It is also called Victoria passion flower or Amethyst passion flower. The fast-growing climber is the enchanting result of crossing the varieties Passionflower caerulea and Passionflower racemosa. It is also excellent for conservatories.
- Flower: pink-violet, up to 10 centimeters in diameter
- Fruit: round, yellow, 3 centimeters in diameter, edible
- Taste: fruity, sour
- Location: sunny
- Height: 6 meters climbing
- Characteristic: fruits only on older plants
- Winter hardiness: only conditionally, down to -8 °C
Passion flower vitifolia
The conditionally hardy passion flower vitifolia enchants with its large, bright red flowers. It can tolerate temperatures around the freezing point, it should not get colder than -2 °C. It is also considered to be the most beautiful of all passion flowers. It is also very decorative when not in bloom. Its dark green leaves are reminiscent of vine leaves.
- Flower: red, up to 16 centimeters in diameter
- Fruit: edible, no fruiting in Central Europe
- Location: sunny
- Height: 2 meters climbing
- Attribute: grown in its native West Indies for the fruit
- Winter hardiness: only conditionally, down to -1 °C
tip: Hardy passion flowers need winter protection from brushwood and garden fleece in the lower area. Before the start of winter, the plants should also be watered extensively.
Passion flowers with edible fruits
Passiflora edulis
The passion flower edulis is known under the name passion fruit. The plant, which originates from Brazil and Argentina, thrives excellently on sunny terraces, balconies and in gardens. With good care, it even rewards the gardener with tasty passion fruit.
- Flower: white-violet
- Fruit: passion fruit, apple-sized, violet, edible, rich in vitamins
- Taste: fruity, sweet, tasty
- Location: sunny
- Height: 2 meters climbing
- Feature: suitable as a container plant
Passion flower liguralis
Unfortunately not hardy, but very tasty and healthy is the passion flower liguralis, the grenadilla. It is cultivated worldwide for its tasty fruits. In the Central European climate, however, it also thrives well as a container plant. However, it should spend the winter in a frost-free place in the conservatory or in cool rooms.
- Flower: white-purple, 6 centimeters in diameter
- Fruit: passion fruit, dark yellow, 8 centimeters long, edible, rich in vitamins
- Taste: fruity, sweet
- Location: sunny
- Height: 5 meters climbing
- Feature: suitable for making jam, juices and desserts
