How to Grow Passion Flower

Growing Passiflora is one of the easiest ways to add exotic summer flowers to a UK garden. Follow these planting steps for passion flower cultivation outdoors or in a large pot.

When and how to plant

1. Plant from late spring once hard frost has passed
2. Dig a hole twice the width of the rootball, 30–45 cm from the wall
3. Mix compost into the backfill and water thoroughly
4. Install trellis or wires before growth takes off
5. Mulch after planting, keeping mulch off the stem (work out how much with our mulch calculator)

Training and support

Passion flowers climb with tendrils. Fan stems across horizontal wires so light reaches the whole plant. Soft ties prevent rubbing on brickwork. Expect 2–3 metres of growth in a good season once established.

Grow passion flower in pot

Use a heavy pot for stability (our pot size calculator suggests a size), add a cane or obelisk, and stand it in the sunniest spot available. Move pots to a sheltered corner in harsh winters, or wrap fleece around the crown in cold snaps.

Common problems

• Few flowers: usually too much shade or excess nitrogen feed
• Yellow leaves: overwatering or poor drainage
• Frost damage: cut back dead wood in spring; blue passion flower often reshoots