How to Grow and Care for Passion Fruits in Australia

Passion fruit is a delicious and nutritious tropical fruit that can be grown in Australia with some care and attention. Its vines aren't just about the fruit; they're a spectacle in themselves with striking flowers that are a magnet for butterflies and bees. The fruit is versatile; you can enjoy it fresh, whip it into desserts, mix it into drinks, or even turn it into tangy sauces and jams.

In this guide, you will learn how to grow and care for the plant in Australia. Starting with how to pick the right variety, setting up the perfect spot in your garden, to mastering the essentials like watering, feeding, and pruning. You will also learn how to prevent and deal with common pest and disease problems that can affect your passion fruit crop. Let's get started!

About Passion Fruit Plant

The passion fruit, while native to tropical America, has a name that piques curiosity. Most historians agree that the 16th-century Spanish missionaries in South America gave the plant its common name and thought the plant's flower resembled the crown of thorns of Christ.

These vibrant vines can reach impressive heights of 10 to 30 feet with widths of 3 to 6 feet. Some species of the evergreen vining plant can grow to 30 or 40 feet high and nearly as wide in tropical and semitropical regions of the world. But while there are several varieties and cultivars, the most commonly available passion fruit plant variety in Australia is Passiflora edulis.

The Nellie Kelly Cultivar

One of the best cultivars of Passiflora edulis is Nellie Kelly. This exceptional variety is a graft, pairing the scion of Passiflora edulis with the robust and disease-resistant rootstock of Passiflora caerulea. It's no wonder Nellie Kelly has won the hearts of Australian gardeners as it can grow in a wide range of climates, from the northern sub-tropics to the cooler south.

It can also produce up to 400 round to oval medium-sized fruits per season. The fruits have a hard and slippery purple outer shell and a soft and juicy yellow interior, tipping the scales at around 50 to 80 grams. The pulp contains numerous black seeds that are edible and crunchy. When ripe, the fruit drops off the vine or showcases a slightly wrinkled skin.

Passion fruit's pulp has a sweet and tangy flavour that can vary depending on the soil, climate, and ripeness.

Best Season to Grow Passion Fruit Plant

Spring is the ideal time to plant Nellie Kelly passion fruit vines, as they will have enough time to establish before the flowering and fruiting season. Plant them in early spring, after the last frost in your area, when the temperature is warm. If you're starting from scratch, seeds or cuttings can kick off indoors about 8 weeks ahead of springtime. Alternatively, grabbing a grafted plant from your local nursery is a handy shortcut.

Best Climate to Grow Passion Fruit Plant

Nellie Kelly passion fruit vines are suitable for subtropical and temperate climates, where they can grow in a wide range of temperatures and altitudes. They are more cold-tolerant than other passion fruit varieties, as they are grafted onto a hardy rootstock (Passiflora caerulea). However, they still need protection from frost when young, as it can damage or kill the vines.

How to Grow Passion Fruit Plant

Growing passion fruit in Australia is rewarding, as the climate in many parts of the country is well-suited to passion fruit cultivation. You can either use cuttings or seeds for cultivating the Passion fruit plant in Australia. We go over each option below.

1. Using Cuttings

The most prevalent approach for planting passion fruit involves using cuttings. Most gardeners begin by cultivating the plant in a pot before eventually relocating it to their gardens. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this:

Step 1: Selecting the Right Vine Cutting

Start by choosing a healthy and vigorous Nellie Kelly passion fruit vine that is free from pests and diseases. Cut a stem that measures 15 to 20 cm in length from the tip of the vine, ideally with some flower buds or fruits. Remove any leaves or tendrils from the lower half of the cutting.

Step 2: Preparing the Planting Pot

Use a large pot with a diameter of at least 30 cm. Fill the pot with a fresh potting mix that is rich in organic matter and offers good drainage. Optionally, add perlite, vermiculite, or sand to improve the soil's drainage. Then, create a hole in the center of the pot using your finger or a pencil.

Step 3: Planting the Cutting

Dip the cut end of the stem into a rooting hormone gel or powder. Insert the cutting into the hole in the potting mix, firmly pack the soil around the cutting, and water it thoroughly. We recommend covering the pot with a clear plastic bag or a humidity dome to create a mini greenhouse effect. Then, place it in a warm and well-lit area, avoiding direct sunlight.

Step 4: Caring for the Cutting

Maintain soil moisture, ensuring it remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Regularly mist the cutting to keep the humidity high within the enclosed environment, and open the plastic bag or dome periodically to allow for some air circulation. Your cutting should root in approximately 3 to 4 months. To check for roots, gently tug on the cutting; resistance indicates root formation.

Step 5: Transitioning and Caring for the Rooted Cutting

Once the cutting has established roots, remove the plastic bag or dome. Gradually acclimate the cutting to outdoor conditions before planting it in the ground. If necessary, transplant it into a larger pot. Provide a trellis or stake for the vine to climb on as it grows. Care for the rooted cutting as you would for a mature passion fruit plant, ensuring it receives proper care and maintenance.

2. Using Seeds

Like cuttings, planting passion fruit plants using seeds is a relatively straightforward process. The step-by-step guide below should show you how to grow the fruit in a pot or container:

Step 1: Seed Collection and Preparation

Begin by collecting fresh seeds from a ripe Nellie Kelly passion fruit. Rinse the seeds with water to remove any pulp. Optionally, you can expedite germination by soaking the seeds overnight in warm water. In choosing your seeds, note that fresh seeds have a higher germination rate than older or store-bought seeds.

Step 2: Preparing the Planting Pot

Select a large pot with a diameter of at least 30 cm. Fill the pot with a fresh potting mix rich in organic matter and ensure good drainage. To improve drainage further, consider adding perlite, vermiculite, or sand. Scatter the seeds evenly on the soil's surface and lightly cover them with more soil, then water the seeds thoroughly.

To create a conducive environment, cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or a humidity dome, simulating a mini greenhouse, and place the pot in a warm, well-lit location, but shielding it from direct sunlight.

Step 3: Seedling Care and Maintenance

Maintain consistent soil moisture, ensuring it remains moist but not waterlogged. We recommend regularly misting the seeds to sustain high humidity levels within the enclosed environment. Likewise, periodically open the plastic bag or dome to allow for adequate air circulation. Your seeds should sprout within approximately 2 to 3 weeks.

Step 4: Seedling Selection and Support

Once the seeds have sprouted, remove the plastic covering, thin out any weak or overcrowded seedlings, and leave only one or two robust seedlings per pot. If desired, transplant any extra seedlings into separate pots. You must provide a trellis or stake for the vines to climb as they grow. Care for the seedlings as you would for mature passion fruit plants, ensuring they receive proper care and maintenance.

How to Transplant the Passion Fruit Plant to Your Garden

Now that your seedlings or cutting have grown, it is time to transplant them into your garden. The process is just as straightforward as growing the fruit in a pot. Let's go over it:

1. Once the cutting or seedlings have grown to about 25 to 40 cm tall, you can transplant them to your garden bed in late spring or early summer, after the last frost in your area. Choose a sunny and sheltered spot with loose, loamy soil that is slightly acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5). You can also improve your soil by adding compost, manure, or peat moss before planting — more on this below.
2. Dig holes that are twice as wide and just as deep as the root balls of your seedlings. Space them about 2 to 3 m apart. Gently remove your seedlings from their pots and place them in the holes. Fill the holes with soil and water them well. Mulch around the base of your plants with organic matter, such as bark chips, straw, or sugarcane, but avoid piling it up against the stems.
3. Provide a sturdy trellis, fence, or pergola for your vines to climb on and spread their branches. You can use wires, strings, or ties to train the vines along the support structure and prune any excess growth — more on this below. Water your plants regularly, especially during the flowering and fruiting season, and fertilise them with a balanced fertiliser every 4 to 6 weeks.

How to Prepare Your Garden Soil for Planting Passion Fruit Plant

Preparing your garden soil properly is essential for the successful growth of passion fruit plants. Here's what you should do:

• Choose a spot that receives full sun, except in very hot areas, where partial shade is preferable. Passion fruit vines need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to produce well. The ideal temperature range is 60 to 82°F. You can use a soil thermometer to confirm if the soil temperature is near 70°F during the daytime and consistently above 50°F during the nighttime.
• Test your soil pH and adjust it if needed. Passion fruit vines prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. You can use a soil test kit or a pH meter to measure your soil pH. If your soil is too acidic, you can add lime to raise the pH. If your soil is too alkaline, you can add sulphur to lower the pH.
• Improve your soil drainage and fertility by adding organic matter. Passion fruit vines need well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. You can improve your soil by adding compost, manure, peat moss, liquid kelp, or other organic materials before planting. You can also use a citrus and fruit mix to plant into.
• Dig holes that are wide and deep enough for the seedlings or cuttings. The holes should be about 45 cm x 45 cm and spaced about 2 to 3 m apart. You can also use a square, quincunx, or triangular planting system to plan the hole-digging operations.
• Fill the holes with some of the soil mixed with organic matter and water well. This will help the roots establish faster and prevent transplant shock.

How to Provide Support and Training (Trellisation) to the Passion Fruit Plant

Trellising is an essential aspect of growing passion fruit plants, especially if you want to maximise fruit production, keep the plant organised, and make harvesting easier. To do this, follow these steps:

• Choose a sturdy and durable trellis that can support the weight and length of the vines. You can use a wooden or metal trellis, or make your own with posts and wires. The trellis should be at least 1.8 m high and as long as the space you have for the vines.
• Install the trellis near the planting site, preferably in a north-south orientation, to maximise sun exposure. Dig holes for the posts about 60 cm deep and 3 to 4 m apart.
• Secure the posts with concrete or soil and attach the wires horizontally at 30 cm, 90 cm, and 150 cm from the ground. Leave some slack in the wires to allow for tension.
• Plant the seedlings or cuttings next to the trellis, about 15 to 30 cm away from the posts. Space them about 2 to 3 m apart. Water them well after planting.
• Train the vines to climb the trellis as they grow. Tie the main stem loosely to the lowest wire with a soft string or cloth. As the vine grows, select one or two lateral branches on each side of the main stem and tie them to the middle wire.
• Prune off any other lateral branches or suckers that may compete with the main stem and branches.
• When the main stem reaches the top wire, pinch off its tip to encourage more lateral branching. Tie the new branches to the top wire as they grow.

How to Pollinate Passion Fruit Plant Flowers

Passiflora edulis is self-compatible and can produce fruits by self-pollination, but to really flourish, it thrives on a bit of help from bees. The flowers are protandrous, meaning that the male parts (anthers) mature before the female parts (stigma), so self-pollination is not very efficient.

But bees aren't the only helpers; the nectar-rich flowers also catch the eye of butterflies and other pollinators. So, to get a bumper crop of juicy passion fruit, make sure you've got a garden that welcomes these little critters.

How to Care for Passion Fruit Plant

Caring for a passion fruit plant involves providing the right conditions and attention to ensure healthy growth and a bountiful harvest. Here are the key care steps for your passion fruit plant:

Watering

Water your passion fruit plants regularly, especially during the flowering and fruiting seasons. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and spread your watering over the entire root system, not just around the stem of the plant. You can also use a drip irrigation system or a soaker hose to water your plants efficiently and avoid water wastage.

Temperature Control

Passion fruit plants are tropical or subtropical plants that need warm and frost-free conditions to grow well. They can tolerate some cold but not frost, which can damage or kill the vines.

If you live in a cold climate, you can grow your passion fruit in pots and bring them indoors during winter or cover them with frost cloth or blankets when frost is expected. That’s the reason why I recommend you plant the cold-tolerant variety, Nellie Kelly, which can survive temperatures as low as -4°C.

Fertilising

Feed your passion fruit plants with a balanced fertiliser that is rich in potassium, such as Richgro granular fertiliser or Katek fertiliser pellets, every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season to boost the growth and flowering of the vines.

You can also add some organic matter, such as compost, manure, or blood and bone, to the soil before planting and after pruning. Avoid over-fertilising or using fertilisers that are high in nitrogen, as this will encourage leaf growth at the expense of flowers and fruits.

Pruning

Prune your passion fruit vines each spring to promote new growth and optimum fruit production. Remove about a third of the previous year’s growth and leave the main stem and some lateral branches on the trellis. Prune off any weak, diseased, or dead branches, as well as any suckers that may grow from the rootstock of grafted plants. You can also prune your vines lightly throughout the year to maintain their shape and size with the help of sharp pruners.

Mulching

Mulching is beneficial for your passion fruit plants as it helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, moderate soil temperature, and add nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. You can use organic materials, such as bark chips, straw, sugarcane, leaves, or Mulch feed, to mulch around the base of your plants, but avoid piling it up against the stems as this can cause rotting. You can also renew the mulch layer every year after pruning to keep it fresh and effective.

Propagating

You can propagate your passion fruit plants with seeds or cuttings. Seeds are easy to collect from ripe fruits but may take longer to germinate and produce fruits than cuttings. Cuttings are faster and more reliable than seeds but may require some rooting hormone and humidity dome to root successfully. You can start your seeds or cuttings indoors 8 weeks before planting them outside in late spring or early summer.

Harvesting

Passion fruit plants can take 18 months to 2 years to start flowering and fruiting, depending on the variety and growing conditions. The fruits are ready to harvest when they change colour from green to purple or yellow, depending on the variety, and fall off the vine. You can also pick them from the vine when they are fully coloured but slightly wrinkled. You can use harvest bags as they can help gather the fruits from the ground or from the trellis without bruising or damaging them.

Storing

You can store the fruits in a cool and dry place for up to 2 weeks, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. You can eat the fruits fresh by cutting them in half and scooping out the pulp with a spoon, or use them to make juices, smoothies, jams, desserts, or cocktails.

Pest and Disease Management for Passion Fruit Plants

Passion fruit plants are susceptible to various pests and diseases that can affect their growth and yield. Here are some common pest and disease problems in passion fruit plants and measures to control them:

• No flower formation: This problem can be caused by several factors, such as lack of pollination, excessive nitrogen fertilisation, water stress, high temperature, or pruning at the wrong time. To encourage flower formation, you can hand-pollinate the flowers with a soft brush, reduce the nitrogen fertiliser and increase the potassium fertiliser, water your plant regularly and deeply, provide some shade during hot weather, and prune your plant in early spring after flowering.
• No fruit formation: This problem can also be caused by several factors, such as poor pollination, fruit drop, pest or disease attack, or genetic factors. To improve fruit formation, you can hand-pollinate the flowers with a soft brush, control pests and diseases with organic or chemical methods, and choose self-fertile or compatible varieties that can produce fruits without cross-pollination.
• Early fruit dropping: This problem can be caused by environmental stress, such as drought, frost, wind, or hail, or by pest or disease attack, such as passionvine hopper, scale, mealybugs, fungal diseases, or woodiness virus. To prevent the early dropping of fruits, you can water your plant regularly and deeply, protect your plant from frost or wind with frost cloth or windbreaks, control pests and diseases with organic or chemical methods, and remove any infected fruits and dispose of them properly.
• Yellowing of leaves: This problem can be caused by nutrient deficiency, such as nitrogen, iron, or magnesium deficiency, or by pest or disease attack, such as nematodes, fusarium wilt, phytophthora blight, or woodiness virus. To correct the yellowing of leaves, you can fertilise your plant with a balanced fertiliser that contains micronutrients, apply iron chelate or magnesium sulphate to the soil or foliage if needed, control nematodes with Tervigo nematicide or resistant rootstocks, control fungal diseases with fungicides or resistant varieties, and remove any infected plants and dispose of them properly.
• Browning of leaves: This can be caused by fungal diseases such as scabs or brown spots, which produce small brown lesions on the leaves that eventually coalesce and cause necrosis. To control these diseases, you can spray your plant with a copper-based fungicide or a baking soda solution. You can also improve air circulation and drainage around your plant.
• Spots on fruits and leaves: This can be a symptom of bacterial diseases such as angular spots or fungal diseases such as anthracnose, which produce irregular spots with different colours and shapes on the fruits and leaves. To manage these diseases, you can use a copper-based fungicide or a hydrogen peroxide solution. You can also avoid overhead watering and splashing water on the plant.
• Pest attack: There are various insects that can damage your passion fruit plants, such as thrips, aphids, mites, caterpillars, and beetles. They feed on the sap or the tissue of the plant and cause wilting, stunting, curling, or distortion of the plant parts. To control these pests, you can use an oil-based insecticide or a neem oil solution. You can also introduce natural predators such as ladybugs or lacewings to your garden.
• Fungal infection: There are several fungi that can infect your passion fruit plants, such as Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora blight, or woodiness virus. They cause wilting, rotting, or deformation of the plant parts. To prevent these infections, you can use a fungicide or a biocontrol agent such as Trichoderma or Bacillus subtilis. You can also avoid planting in poorly drained soil or in areas with previous history of these diseases.
• Viral infection: There are some viruses that can affect your passion fruit plants, such as cucumber mosaic virus or passionfruit mosaic virus. They cause mottling, streaking, or distortion of the leaves and fruits. There is no cure for viral infections, so you have to remove and destroy any infected plants as soon as possible. You can also avoid planting near other hosts of these viruses such as cucurbits or legumes.

Benefits of Growing Passion Fruit Plants at Home

Passion fruits offer numerous advantages, from enjoying fresh, exotic fruit to contributing to a healthier environment and fostering a deeper connection with nature. Some other benefits include:

• Passion fruit vines can be used as a screening plant or shade an area as the vine climbs over fences and trellises. They can also add beauty and fragrance to your garden with their spectacular flowers that attract butterflies and bees.
• Passion fruit is a good source of nutrients, especially fibre, vitamin C, and provitamin A. It also contains other vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that have various health benefits. Some of these benefits include improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, enhancing the immune system, protecting heart health, and reducing anxiety.
• Passion fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. To eat it raw, simply cut the fruit in half and scoop out the pulp with a spoon. You can also add it to salads, yogurts, smoothies, or juices. To cook it, you can make passion fruit curd, jam, sauce, or syrup. You can also use it to flavour cakes, pies, ice creams, or cocktails.
• Passion fruit can grow well in most regions of Australia, as long as they have warm and frost-free conditions. You can also grow passion fruit in pots and bring them indoors during winter if you live in a cold area.

Other Popular Passion Fruit Varieties

Let’s learn about some of the most popular passion fruit varieties and find out how they differ from Nellie Kelly:

Yellow Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis flavicarpa)

This is another popular variety of passion fruit that produces larger fruits with yellow skin and pulp that are more acidic and less aromatic than the purple variety. It is suitable for lower elevations and warmer climates than the purple variety. It is more vigorous, hardy, and tolerant to pests and diseases than the purple variety.

It differs from Nellie Kelly in that it is not grafted, has larger fruits, and is more acidic. Unlike Nellie Kelly, this variety is self-incompatible and requires cross-pollination with another cultivar to set seeds and fruits. The flowers are also protandrous and nectar-rich, but they have a different morphology than the purple variety.

Sweet Granadilla (Passiflora ligularis)

This is a passion fruit cultivar that produces oval fruits with yellow to orange skin and white pulp that are sweet and mild in flavour. It is also known as golden passion fruit or grenadia. It is suitable for subtropical climates and can tolerate some frost. It has attractive flowers that are white with purple stripes. It differs from Nellie Kelly in that it is not grafted, has white pulp, and is sweeter.

This variety is self-compatible and can produce fruits by self-pollination or cross-pollination. The flowers are not protandrous, meaning that the male and female parts mature at the same time, allowing self-pollination to occur. The flowers are also nectar-rich and attractive to many pollinators.

Banana Passion Fruit (Passiflora mollissima)

This is a passion fruit cultivar that produces elongated fruits with yellow to orange skin and orange pulp that are sweet and aromatic. It is also known as curuba or taxo. It is suitable for cool to warm climates and can grow in high altitudes. It has pink flowers that are fragrant. It differs from Nellie Kelly in that it is not grafted, has elongated fruits, and has pink flowers. This variety is also self-compatible, like sweet granadilla.

Best Companion Plants to Pair With Passion Fruit Plant

Companion plants are plants that grow well together and provide mutual benefits, such as attracting pollinators, repelling pests, improving soil quality, creating shade, or enhancing health, growth, and fruit production. Some of the best companion plants for passion fruit plants are:

• Marigolds: These bright and cheerful flowers can deter nematodes, aphids, and other pests that may attack passion fruit plants. They also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings that can prey on the pests. Marigolds can be planted around the base of passion fruit plants or in pots nearby.
• Basil: This aromatic herb can repel flies, mosquitoes, and other insects that may bother passion fruit plants. It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties that can prevent diseases. Basil can be planted in pots or containers near passion fruit plants or intercropped between the vines.
• Lemon balm: This lemon-scented herb can attract bees and butterflies, which are important pollinators for passion fruit plants. It can also repel mosquitoes and other pests. Lemon balm can be planted in pots or containers near passion fruit plants or intercropped between the vines.
• Mint: This refreshing herb can attract bees and butterflies, as well as repel ants, aphids, and other pests. Mint can also improve the flavour and aroma of passion fruit plants. Mint can be planted in pots or containers near passion fruit plants or intercropped between the vines. However, mint can be invasive, so it should be contained or pruned regularly.
• Nasturtiums: These colourful flowers can attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are all pollinators for passion fruit plants. They can also repel whiteflies, squash bugs, and other pests. Nasturtiums can be planted around the base of passion fruit plants or in hanging baskets nearby.

By pairing passion fruit plants with these companion plants, you can enjoy a bountiful and beautiful harvest of this tropical delight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Passion Fruit.

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Wrapping Up

Passion fruit is not only a tasty and healthy fruit but a beautiful and fragrant plant that can enhance your garden. If you want to grow your own passion fruit vines, you can follow the simple steps in this article and start enjoying the fruits (literally) of your labour in no time. You can also experiment with different varieties, recipes, and uses of passion fruit to discover its full potential.

If you have any questions or doubts about growing passion fruit, you can contact a botanist or a plant expert for further guidance and advice. And don’t forget to share your passion fruit experience with us in the comments below. We would love to hear from you.