When to Plant Passion Fruit? Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and the Flowering and Fruiting Cycle

Passion fruit, also known as egg fruit, is a herbaceous climbing plant of the genus Passiflora in the family Passifloraceae. It flowers in June and fruits in November. The flowers are large and beautiful, though unscented, and it can be grown as an ornamental garden plant. The fruit can be eaten raw or used as a vegetable or feed, and as a medicine it has stimulating and tonic effects. Outside China, egg fruit enjoys such laudatory titles as “king of fruit juices” and “money tree.” So, when is passion fruit planted? How long until it flowers and fruits? And how is it grown?

I. When Is Passion Fruit Planted?

According to grower Mr. Li, the best time to plant passion fruit is in spring or autumn, and seedlings should be transplanted on a cloudy day or a sunny day after rain. Propagation can be done by two methods: seed propagation and division propagation.

For seed propagation, select large, plump fruits to save seed from. Remove the peel and pulp, take out the seeds, wash them, dry them and store them. Sow in March of the following spring. Scatter the seeds evenly on the seedbed, cover with 2 cm of fine soil, water to keep moist, and the seedlings can be transplanted after 1 year of growing.

For division propagation, dig up the suckers sprouting from the base of the plant and transplant them. Open holes at a row and plant spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm, and plant 1 plant per hole.

II. How Long Until Passion Fruit Flowers and Fruits?

After passion fruit is transplanted, if it grows vigorously, it will generally flower in 70-90 days, and the fruit takes about 60 days to develop and ripen. Seedling-grown plants have a longer growth cycle, generally flowering in 180-200 days, with the fruit taking about 80 days to develop and ripen.

III. How Is Passion Fruit Grown?

1. Temperature

The most suitable growing temperature for egg fruit is 20°C-30°C. It generally grows well at temperatures not below 0°C, and at -2°C the plant will suffer severe damage or even die. Areas with an annual average temperature above 18°C are the most suitable for growing it and are likely to produce a high yield. Therefore, it is widely distributed in the warm, humid regions of southern China, especially in Hainan.

2. Water

Egg fruit grows best under conditions of annual rainfall of 1500-2000 mm that is evenly distributed, while areas growing it commercially should have no less than 1000 mm. Egg fruit is fairly drought-tolerant, but if drought occurs, irrigation is still needed. Soil that is too dry will affect vine and fruit development; in severe cases the branches will appear withered, the fruit will not develop, and fruit drop will occur. During the rainy season, pay attention to drainage.

3. Light

As a tropical fruit, egg fruit likes plenty of sunlight to promote vine growth and nutrient accumulation. Long-day conditions favor flowering in egg fruit. In areas with 2300-2800 annual sunshine hours, egg fruit has good vegetative growth, accumulates more nutrients, grows vines quickly, bears fruit early and yields abundantly. The most suitable growing temperature is 20°C-30°C. It generally grows well at temperatures not below 0°C, and at -2°C the plant will suffer severe damage or even die.

4. Soil

Egg fruit is highly adaptable and has low soil requirements. However, for large-scale production, the soil layer should be at least 0.5 m deep, and the soil should be fertile, loose and well-drained, with a soil pH of 5.5-6.5 being suitable.