Is passionflower hardy?

Passionflower (Passiflora) is a beautiful climbing plant with exotic-looking flowers and star-shaped leaves.

The leaves are also evergreen. However, Passiflora doesn't always survive the winter well.

Is Passiflora hardy?

Passiflora caerulea

There is really only one species that is (fairly) hardy in our climate. This is Passiflora caerulea.

This cultivar blooms with fairly large blue-and-white flowers. It blooms from approximately July through October. The leaves are dark green, deeply lobed, and star- or hand-shaped. In a warm, sunny, yet sheltered location, this climbing plant will grow well and bloom beautifully!

Officially, Passiflora caerulea is moderately hardy. This means that a sheltered location with well-drained soil is definitely necessary for it to grow (and continue to grow) well.

During harsher winters, or when exposed to cold winds, large parts of the plant may die off. Sometimes even all above-ground growth dies off. Young plants are also more sensitive to cold (especially when combined with a wet growing location). Usually, the Passiflora will sprout again from the root in the spring.

In mild winters, the plant stays a beautiful green throughout the winter and may continue to bloom well into the fall. Older plants also remain evergreen more effectively.

Passiflora Constance Elliot

It is also often noted that the Constance Elliot is (just as) hardy as the caerulea.

Unfortunately, our own experience with this has been different. Of course, it could have just been bad luck, since we didn't try again after the first time.

Other Passiflora Species

Other cultivars are also available (and beautiful to look at). For example, Amethyst, Purple Haze, or Calipso.

Although they can withstand quite a bit when planted in the right spot, they are still considerably less hardy. They usually die back mostly above ground. This also happens more often during milder winters and with older plants.