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Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima seeds - Curuba

Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima
Banana Passionfruit, Banana Poka, Softleaf Passionflower

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This Passion Flower is a climbing plant native to the Andes, sought after by collectors for its light pink flowers hanging down and its edible elongated fruits. Suitable for tropical climates, this variety can be grown in a pot as long as it is protected from temperatures below 3°C. It thrives in rich, well-drained soil and enjoys a sunny or semi-shaded exposure. Its dense foliage and exotic flowers can be used to adorn balconies, terraces, and conservatories.
Flower size
8 cm
Height at maturity
4.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Germination time (days)
30 days
Sowing method
Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
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Sowing period March to May
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Flowering time May to October
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Description

The Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima, also known as Curuba or Banana Passionflower, is a Passion Flower originating from the mountainous regions of South America. This exotic climbing plant is characterised by its light pink flowers and edible elongated fruits, which turn yellow-orange when ripe. It is a beautiful tropical plant that can be grown in a pot in our climates. Ornamental and interesting for its tasty fruits, this passionflower will delight enthusiasts of original conservatory plants.

Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima belongs, like all passionflowers, to the Passifloraceae family. It is a botanical species native to the mountainous regions of the Andes, especially Ecuador and Colombia. In the wild, it grows in cool areas at an altitude between 1,800 and 3,000 metres. This vigorous climbing plant can reach up to 7 m in length in its natural habitat. Grown in a pot, its growth will be much more modest. Its foliage consists of large trilobed dark green leaves, measuring about 10 to 15 cm long. They are slightly fuzzy, especially on the underside. The leaf edges are finely toothed, and their texture is soft, hence the name mollissima, meaning "very tender" in Latin. This dense, bright green foliage contributes to the lush appearance of this climbing plant. Flowering occurs from spring to autumn. The 8 to 10 cm diameter flowers are bell-shaped and delicate pink. They are pendulous with a tubular base, featuring rather thin petals and sepals. In the centre of the corolla, there is a crown of mauve filaments with pink protuberances. The fruits are elongated, changing from green to yellow-orange when ripe and measure up to 12 cm long. They are edible, sweet, fragrant, and slightly acidic.

This Passion Flower thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil in a sunny location. Prune after flowering to reduce the branches to maintain a beautiful shape. Use it to adorn a trellis in the conservatory or a temperate greenhouse. The growth of this passionflower is rapid, but it is very sensitive to cold: the plant suffers below 3°C. And it dislikes heatwaves.

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Passion flower: planting, growing, pruning
Family sheet
by Viviane 14 min.
Passion flower: planting, growing, pruning
Read article

Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima seeds - Curuba in pictures

Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima seeds - Curuba (Flowering) Flowering
Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima seeds - Curuba (Harvest) Harvest

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time May to October
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 8 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 4.50 m
Spread at maturity 1 m
Growth rate fast

Botanical data

Genus

Passiflora

Species

tripartita var. mollissima

Family

Passifloraceae

Other common names

Banana Passionfruit, Banana Poka, Softleaf Passionflower

Botanical synonyms

Tacsonia mollissima, Passiflora mollissima

Origin

South America

Product reference • 23218

Planting and care

To sow Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima, start by soaking the seeds in warm water for 24 hours to soften their coat and promote germination. Then sow the seeds at a depth of 1 cm in a light and well-drained substrate, ideally a mix of seed compost and sand. Place the pots in a warm location (between 20 and 25°C) and maintain constant humidity without saturating the substrate. Germination can take 4 to 8 weeks. Once the seedlings are strong enough, transplant them into individual pots.

For container cultivation, choose a large container (minimum 40 cm in diameter) with drainage holes to prevent excess moisture. Use a rich and airy substrate mix, composed of climbing plant compost and well-decomposed compost. Place the pot in a sunny (not scorching) to semi-shaded location, sheltered from the wind. Water regularly, allowing the substrate to dry slightly between waterings, as passionflower does not like excess stagnant water.

In winter, bring the plant indoors if temperatures drop below 5°C. Feed monthly with a potassium-rich fertiliser to encourage flowering and fruiting. Prune in spring to promote branching and limit the plant's dimensions.

This passionflower is very sensitive to scorching summer temperatures.

Sowing period

Sowing period March to May
Sowing method Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
Germination time (days) 30 days

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Container, Climbing, Greenhouse, Conservatory
Hardiness Hardy down to +4.5°C (USDA zone 11) Show map
Ease of cultivation Experienced
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained, rich

Planting & care advice

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