banana passion fruit

Also known as: curuba; sweet calabash

A fast-growing evergreen climber to 5m in height with three slightly downy oval mid-green leaflets with heart-shaped bases making up each leaf. Large mid-pink flowers up to 9cm across are borne from midsummer to late autumn, followed by oblong yellow fruits. The pulp in the fruits only can be eaten when they are fully ripe and yellow-orange. Unripe fruit is toxic

Scientific classification

Species: banana passion fruit (Passiflora mollissima)
Genus: Passiflora
Family: Passifloraceae

Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Toxicity: Climber Wall Shrub
Plant type: 4-8 metres
Height: 1.5-2.5 metres
Spread: Evergreen
Foliage: Climbing
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Season of interest: Partial shade · Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

banana passion fruit pictures

Distribution of banana passion fruit

Distribution map

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Quick identification of banana passion fruit

Information to be completed

banana passion fruit care guide

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Watering: Partial shade · Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer

Pruning

Routine pruning is unnecessary; shorten overlong shoots to fit the available space. For last-year flowering growth, prune after flowering; for current-year flowering growth, prune in late winter or spring. This guidance is for established plants.

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 13-18°C in spring, take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or layer in spring or autumn

Growing

Plant in a greenhouse border or in large pots of loam based compost with bright light, but not direct sun. Water sparingly in winter, but freely in summer and liquid feed once a month with a balanced fertiliser

More growing and care information →