Passiflora edulis seeds

Passiflora edulis, known as Passion Flower, Maracudja or Grenadille, is a charming exotic climber with magnificent fragrant flowers and tasty fruits. Mainly cultivated for its edible fruits, filled with sweet and tangy pulp, it brings all the charm of the Tropics to the terrace or veranda. In our climate, it should be grown in a pot, allowing it to be moved indoors in winter, as it does not tolerate temperatures below 10°C.

Originally from South America, Passiflora edulis belongs to the Passifloraceae family, like all passion flowers. In the wild, it thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, easily climbing on trees and other supports. In cultivation, it can reach up to 4 metres in height. Its evergreen foliage consists of trilobed, shiny green leaves measuring 10 to 20 cm. It is decorative throughout the year. This is a self-fertile species that does not require a partner to fruit.
The plant blooms all summer, from June to September. Its approx 5 cm in diameter flowers are white and mauve, with a crown of contrasting purple and white fringed filaments. Pollinated by bees, they give way to ovoid fruits 4 to 6 cm in length, with a sweet and slightly tangy flavour and a delightful exotic aroma. Harvest when the browned skin is slightly wrinkled at the end of summer, from August to October. The juicy and gelatinous pulp contains numerous small black seeds. The fruits are eaten raw, as juice, in ice creams, mousses, fruit salads, or simply on their own, halved and enjoyed with a spoon. They are renowned for their numerous medicinal virtues: antioxidant, rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, fibres, flavonoids, etc.

The Grenadille is perfect for decorating a terrace or balcony. It can be trained on a trellis or any other sturdy structure to create an exotic green screen. Combine it with other tender climbers like Dipladenia (Mandevilla), Bougainvillea, Arabian Jasmine or Solanum jasminoides. Together, these plants will create an exotic atmosphere. This passion flower is also highly appreciated in conservatories where it spends cold winters.