From my perspective as a Passiflora, my most fundamental need is a home that allows for my expansive growth. I am a vigorous vine, and my tendrils will eagerly reach out for anything to climb. Please provide me with a sturdy trellis, arbor, or fence to support my journey upwards towards the sun. When choosing a container, select one that is generous, at least 12-18 inches in diameter, with excellent drainage holes. I despise having my roots sit in waterlogged soil, as it will cause them to rot and make me very ill. A premium potting mix that is well-draining yet rich in organic matter is my preferred foundation.
I am a child of the sun. To truly thrive, produce my intricate foliage, and eventually bloom my spectacular flowers, I require abundant light. Please place me in a spot where I can bask in at least six to eight hours of full, direct sunlight each day. While I can tolerate some partial shade, it will likely result in fewer, if any, of my famous blooms. I am also quite sensitive to the cold. I originate from warm climates, so if you live in an area where temperatures dip below freezing, I would be much happier spending the winter indoors in a bright, sunny room.
My relationship with water is one of balance. When I am actively growing in the spring and summer, I enjoy consistently moist soil. Please water me deeply when the top inch of my soil feels dry to the touch. However, be careful not to love me too much with water; sogginess is my enemy. As my growth slows in the autumn and winter, I require far less to drink. In terms of food, I am a moderate feeder. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied every four to six weeks during my main growing season will provide me with the energy I need to climb and flower profusely for you.
My flowers are my pride and joy, but I will only produce them under the right conditions. The most common reason I refuse to bloom is insufficient sunlight. If I am in a shady spot, I will focus all my energy on growing leaves instead of flowers. Another key factor is patience. I often will not bloom in my first year as I am busy establishing my root system. Furthermore, please avoid over-fertilizing me with a high-nitrogen food, as this encourages lush green growth at the expense of flowers. A fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content (the middle number) can help encourage blooming once I am mature and well-established.
It is important to understand my natural life cycle. I am a perennial vine, meaning I can live for many years. In spring, I will burst forth with new growth, rapidly climbing and producing leaves. Summer is my time to shine, when I display my unique and beautiful flowers. After flowering, I may produce fruit if my flowers are pollinated. As daylight shortens in autumn, my growth will slow down. In colder climates, I may die back to the ground, but my roots often survive to regenerate in spring. If I am brought indoors for winter, I will enter a period of dormancy where I require less water and no fertilizer until the returning spring sun signals me to wake up.
