Passiflora Coactilis

Description

Passiflora mollissima, also known as banana passion fruit, is a fast-growing, semi-evergreen, perennial climbing plant native to the Andes Mountains of South America, particularly in Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. The plant belongs to the Passifloraceae family and thrives at high altitudes (1660-3200 meters) in tropical, subtropical or Mediterranean climates (USDA zones 9b-11).

The climbing plant can grow 5-20 meters tall or wide, with hairy, three-lobed, green leaves and striking, pendulous pink flowers (up to 15 cm wide) that bloom from summer to fall, attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

The edible, yellow, banana-shaped fruits (5-12 cm long) are sweet and sour, have orange flesh and are full of black seeds. They are used in juices, desserts, ice cream, and cocktails and are among the best passion fruit flavors. The climbing plant usually bears fruit in the second year and produces up to 300 fruits per climbing plant under optimal conditions.
It prefers well-drained, rich soil, sun to partial shade, and regular watering, but is sensitive to high temperatures and humidity. In cooler climates, frost protection or indoor cultivation in pots is required (limiting root length to about 30 cm promotes flowering).