Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) L.H. Bailey (F)
banana passion fruit
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
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, Alkaline, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green | ||
| Autumn | Pink | Green | Yellow | |
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Passifloraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Climbing
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Passiflora are mostly tender tendril-climbing shrubs, with simple or palmately-lobed, generally evergreen leaves and showy flowers of distinctive structure with often colourful coronal filaments, followed by conspicuous fruits, edible in some species
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant in a greenhouse border or in large pots of peat-free, 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
Propagation
Propagate by seed at 13-18°C in spring, take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or layer in spring or autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Pruning group 11 or 12, if necessary, in early spring
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly, mealybugs and scale insects
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and a virus
Get involved
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