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Fruit

Passionfruit

Passiflora edulis

A vigorous evergreen climber that fruits heavily in Adelaide's warm months when grown on a sunny fence or trellis. Most are grafted: rub off any shoots from below the graft, or the rootstock can take over. Feed and water well from spring to autumn, and avoid digging around the shallow roots.

When to plant where you live

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Planting times for other areas

Varieties (3)

  • Nellie KellyGrafted black passionfruit; reliable, self-fertile, the classic Australian backyard choice
  • Panama RedLarger, red-skinned fruit; prefers warmer spots and good shelter
  • SweetheartGrafted black type selected for heavy crops over a long season

Neighbours

Grows well with

From seed to plate

  1. Plant

    300 cm apart. Full sun.

  2. Water

    Deep, regular water.

  3. Feed

    Feed in spring and summer.

  4. Pick

    Collect fruit as it falls.

Good to know

  • Prune lightly in spring to thin tangled growth; fruit forms on new growth
  • Fruit is ripe when it falls or wrinkles slightly
  • Expect a vine to be productive for 5 to 7 years

Common problems

  • Rootstock suckersremove any growth from below the graft or from the ground near the vine
  • Fruit shrivels or dropswater deeply and regularly while fruit develops
  • Poor fruit setattract bees with flowering herbs; hand pollinate if bees are scarce
  • Woodiness virus (hard, misshapen fruit)no cure; remove affected vines and buy healthy grafted plants

If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.

Ask the garden helper about passionfruitAny question, answered from the plant libraryHow others are growing passionfruitQuestions, tips and harvests from the community

Safety: Mildly toxic to pets and children (unripe fruit, leaves).

Where this information comes from

Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 27 Oct 2026. Version 2.