Passion Flower, Also Known as Maracuja

In short: Passion flowers (Passiflora) are climbing plants up to 15 m long; the edible Passiflora edulis gives the passion fruit, maracuja. Soak the seeds for a few hours, sow them about 0.5 cm deep and keep them at 22–26 °C; they germinate in about 4–6 weeks. For fruit, grow at least two plants and hand-pollinate them indoors.

Passion flowers (lat. Passiflora) belong to the family of passion flower plants (lat. Passifloraceae). Passion flowers are perennial, climbing plants or shrubs, originating mostly from South America. They are also widely represented in North America, Asia and Australia. The blue passion flower (lat. Passiflora caerulea) was first brought to Europe by missionaries, which over time spread and today is grown as a houseplant. In warmer areas of Europe (Italy, France and Spain) it also grows in the wild.

The most widespread species grown for its berries (fruits) known as passion fruit is the edible passion flower (lat. Passiflora edulis). This species of passion flower is grown especially in the Caribbean and South Africa. A yellow and dark variety is grown. The yellow variety bears the Latin name Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa and the dark one is called Passiflora edulis var. edulis. There are over 500 species of passion flowers and in addition, breeding is constantly creating new cultivars with various flower colours. However, cultivars have more of a decorative function. Passion flowers are climbing plants (vines) that can grow up to 15 m in length. The leaves are dark green, three-lobed. The colour of the flower depends on the specific species of passion flower, they can be white, green, pink, purple or red. The fruits also differ according to species. They can be round or elongated, in various colours.

Types of passion flowers

The most commonly grown species of passion flowers are for example blue passion flower (lat. passiflora caerulea), edible passion flower (lat. passiflora edulis), banana passion flower (lat. passiflora mollissima) and sweet (tongue-shaped) passion flower (lat. passiflora ligularis). Or also fence passion flower and giant passion flower.

• Blue passionflower is grown mainly for ornamental purposes. At first glance, it attracts attention with its large number of big blue-white flowers that have a pleasant fragrance. The flowers can measure 8 - 10 cm in diameter. The leaves of the blue passionflower are dark green, five-parted and deeply notched. This species was the first to be imported to Europe. Missionaries saw in its flower the instruments of Jesus Christ's Passion. Three black styles with stigmas reminded them of nails, five anthers signified the five wounds of Christ, and the crown of colourful filaments resembled the crown of thorns. The pointed leaves represented the spear, the tendrils the whips, and ten petals signified the ten apostles. Both the Latin and common name of this plant are closely connected with the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Latin name Passiflora is composed of the words "passio" meaning suffering and "flos" meaning flower. In the common name passionflower, the connection is obvious at first glance.

• Purple passionflower is also known by the name of its fruit - passion fruit. This species of passionflower is heat-loving and is grown especially for its fruits, which are round to oval berries, yellow or dark purple in colour when ripe. Inside the fruit is juicy pulp and many seeds. Yellow passion fruits (golden passion fruit) can grow to the size of a grapefruit. The surface of this fruit is smooth, glossy with a delicate skin. Plants with dark purple fruits are grown, for example, in Kenya; the fruits are smaller, with dry and wrinkled skin. The skin of this variety is slightly poisonous because it contains cyanogenic glycoside. However, heat treatment destroys the cyanide molecules and, moreover, the skin is hardly edible in its raw state.

• Banana passionflower is a vine-like plant with large pink, tubular flowers that can measure up to 8 cm in diameter. The fruits are elongated, growing to a length of approximately 12 cm, are edible and have a yellow colour. They resemble small bananas, which is indicated by the species name itself. This species of passionflower can briefly tolerate temperatures down to -2 °C. The plants like warmth. It fruits twice a year. Growth is very fast, so it is necessary to provide the plant with support that it can climb.

• Sweet granadilla (tongue-shaped passionflower) is grown for its delicious, juicy fruits. The fruits are orange in colour with a hard, leathery skin. The inner part of the fruit is filled with yellow-orange jelly-like substance - aril, which is very aromatic and tasty. The fruits ripen twice a year. The flowers of this passionflower have a cream colour, the leaves are entire, tongue-shaped.

• Other frequently grown passionflowers include winged-stem passionflower (lat. Passiflora alata), purple passionflower (lat. Passiflora incarnata), which is grown as a medicinal plant. The leaves are used for medicinal purposes and in fresh state are used to treat skin diseases. It is most effective against skin fungus. Also grown are yellow passionflower (lat. Passiflora citrina) and grape-leaved passionflower (lat. Passiflora vitifolia).

From Seed to Passion Fruit...

It is advisable to soak passion flower seeds in warm water before sowing (for several hours). The seeds will swell slightly. Sow them into prepared substrate to a depth of approximately 0.5 cm. Don't forget to put good drainage in the sowing tray so that excess water can drain well. Seeds germinate best at temperatures ranging from 22 - 26 °C. At this temperature and in a bright location, passion flowers will begin to germinate in about 4 - 6 weeks, some species even later. Keep the sowing substrate constantly slightly moist. Ideal conditions for germination and growth of young seedlings are provided by a mini greenhouse or propagator. Mature passion flowers love light; without sufficient light, plants will not flower or produce fruit. The ideal temperature for cultivation is normal room temperature, with a winter minimum of approximately 10 °C. During the growing season, passion flowers like a sufficient supply of water; the soil must be constantly moist. In winter, watering is reduced; water moderately according to overwintering temperature approximately once every 14 days. In spring and summer, the plant enjoys regular misting, which should be done when the sun is not shining on it. Passion flowers can spend summer outdoors, preferably with the pot sunk into the ground. They tolerate direct sun; they would not flower in shade. In autumn, move the plant to a winter location with lower temperature and sufficient light. Dig up the plant with its pot from the ground, remove roots that have grown out of the pot during summer. Prune the above-ground part of the plant. Plants need to rest during winter, so don't fertilize them. In spring, prune the plant once more by approximately one-third of the length of individual branches. After about a month, it's advisable to repot the plant into a larger pot. Don't use too large a pot, because passion flowers flower better in a pot only slightly larger than the original one (terracotta pots). A suitable substrate for cultivation is a mixture created by combining turf, leaf mold, peat, and sand in equal proportions. To help passion flowers bloom better, it's advisable to fertilize them occasionally during the season, but don't overdo it, because over-fertilized plants will grow lushly but won't flower. It's suitable to fertilize with special fertilizer for flowering houseplants. If your passion flower blooms, that's half the success. The other half is growing fruit. The key is good pollination of flowers. It's essential to grow at least 2 plants. At an outdoor location, flowers are often pollinated by insects. In indoor environments, however, you must become a bee for a moment and ensure pollination yourself. Using a small brush or cotton swab, transfer pollen from the flower of one plant to the flowers of the second plant. Then just wait to see if pollination was successful and fruits - passion fruits - will begin to grow.

Uses of Passionflower and Its Healing Effects

The fruits of the edible passionflower, called maracuja, contain approximately 17% carbohydrates, provitamin A, B and C vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and fiber. Flavonoids contained in the above-ground parts of passionflower help with sleep problems. Passionflower has a calming and sedative effect on the central nervous system. It suppresses feelings of anxiety and psychological tension. Preparations containing passionflower improve and deepen sleep, restore mental balance and well-being. Passionflower can also be used to relax smooth muscles and relieve menstrual cramps. Passionflower is not addictive. No adverse effects have been proven, but its use is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Ripe fruits are consumed fresh, but you will also appreciate them in the kitchen for flavoring beverages or desserts. The exotic taste of maracuja stands out in fruit salads, desserts, cocktails, juices, or jams. Passionflower is also used as an ingredient in the production of soaps, yogurts, beverages...