How to grow and care for Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) Indoors
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Botanical name: Passiflora caerulea
Family: Passifloraceae
Common names: Bluecrown Passionflower, Blue Passionflower, Southern Beauty, Wild Apricot, Jesus Flower, Passion Flower
Bluecrown Passionflower Description
Bluecrown Passionflower also called Blue Passionflower, Southern Beauty, Wild Apricot, Jesus Flower or Passion Flower is a rampant climber which is ideal for a trellis or a hanging basket.
If left unpruned, Bluecrown Passionflower can become unruly. The stems bear deeply-lobed leaves, tendrils and short-lived flowers all through the growing season.
Bluecrown Passionflower bears fragrant blue-white flowers with a prominent fringe of filaments in bands of blue, white and brown. The fruits are orange, small, oval-shaped, edible but bland.
Bluecrown Passionflower Origin
Passiflora caerulea (Bluecrown Passionflower) is native to the rain forests of Brazil and Argentina where it grows by clinging on tree trunks by use of the tendrils.
Bluecrown Passionflower for Sale
Buy beautiful and healthy Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) from Etsy.
Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) Care Indoors
Bluecrown Passionflower Light Requirements
Bluecrown Passionflower grows best in bright light conditions with some direct sunlight. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
How to Water Bluecrown Passionflower
Water Bluecrown Passionflower thoroughly and keep the soil moist at all times. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Reduce watering for your Bluecrown Passionflower during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Ensure the pot for your Bluecrown Passionflower has a draiange hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and the eventual death of your plant.
Temperature for Bluecrown Passionflower
Average warmth with a minimum of 130C is ideal for your Bluecrown Passionflower. Cool nights and warm days with a 150C are necessary to trigger flower buds.
Protect your Bluecrown Passionflower from cold and hot draughts to prevent sudden changes in temperature. Read more on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity for Bluecrown Passionflower
Bluecrown Passionflower prefers high humidity inorder to thrive. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity for your Bluecrown Passionflower. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Fertilizer (Feeding) for Bluecrown Passionflower
Feed Bluecrown Passionflower with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks.
To promote flowering in your Bluecrown Passionflower apply a phosphorous-rich fertilizer weekly during bud formation. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
How to Repot Bluecrown Passionflower
Repot Bluecrown Passionflower during the growing season only when the plant is extremely pot-bound as it blooms more when pot-bound.
Do not repot a Bluecrown Passionflower that is in flower as it can shorten the flowering period of your plant.
Repot your Bluecrown Passionflower into a pot 1 size larger and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of your plant.
The best soil for your Bluecrown Passionflower should be rich in organic matter and free-draining.
The large Bluecrown Passionflower plants can be top-dressed by replacing the top 3-4 in of soil with fresh soil.
How to Prune Bluecrown Passionflower
Pruning Bluecrown Passionflower is easy. Remove dead flowers to maintain your plant neat and tidy.
Pinch off the growing tips from your Bluecrown Passionflower to encourage compact growth and prevent the plant from getting unruly.
After flowering, cut back the stems of your Bluecrown Passionflower to rejuvenate growth. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) Propagation
Bluecrown Passionflower propagation can be done at the beginning of the growing season from stem-tip cuttings or from seeds.
How to propagate Bluecrown Passionflower from stem-tip cuttings
Take a 4-6 stem-tip cutting from a healthy Bluecrown Passionflower plant and ensure it has at least 2-3 leaf nodes.
Insert the Bluecrown Passionflower cutting in moist free-draining soil and place the set up in a warm well-lit spot.
Maintain the soil moist through out until the new Bluecrown Passionflower plants are well established after which routine care can begin.
How to propagate Bluecrown Passionflower from seeds
Sow the Bluecrown Passionflower seeds about 1/2 in. deep in moist free-draining soil.
Cover the set up with a plastic sheet to create a greenhouse effect and place the set up in a warm well-lit place.
Maintain the soil moist through out until the Bluecrown Passionflower plants are well established.
Gradually remove the plastic cover to acclimatize the new Bluecrown Passionflower plants to ordinary growing conditions.
Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) Problems Indoors
Why are the leaves of my Bluecrown Passionflower yellowing and dropping?
There are two possible causes of yellowing leaves and leaf drop in your Bluecrown Passionflower.
One possible cause of yellowing leaves and leaf drop in your Bluecrown Passionflower is too little light.
Move your Bluecrown Passionflower to a brighter spot where is will receive bright light with some direct sunlight.
The second possible cause of yellowing leaves and leaf drop in your Bluecrown Passionflower is underwatering.
Maintain the soil for your Bluecrown Passionflower consistently moist and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Why is my Bluecrown Passionflower dropping flower buds?
The are two possible causes of flower bud drop in your Bluecrown Passionflower.
One possible cause of flower bud drop in your Bluecrown Passionflower is underwatering.
Maintain the soil for your Bluecrown Passionflower consistently moist and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
The second possible cause of flower bud drop in your Bluecrown Passionflower is underfeeding.
Feed your Bluecrown Passionflower every 4 weeks with a balanced water soluble fertilizer and a phosphorous-rich fertilizer weekly during bud formation to promote flowering.
Why are the leaves of my Bluecrown Passionflower yellowing and wilting?
Yellowing and wilting leaves in your Bluecrown Passionflower are due to underwatering.
Maintain the soil for your Bluecrown Passionflower consistently moist and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Bluecrown Passionflower Pests
Bluecrown Passionflower pests include Spider Mites, Aphids and Scale Insects.
Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests.
Bluecrown Passionflower diseases
Bluecrown Passionflower is prone to Powdery Mildew which is characterized by grey mould on the leaves.
Powdery Mildew is prevalent in warm and humid conditions therefore, do not mist your Bluecrown Passionflower and improve air circulation to discourage the disease.
Is Bluecrown Passionflower (passiflora caerulea) toxic?
Bluecrown Passionflower (passiflora caerulea) plants are toxic to humans and pets.
If ingested they can cause a vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Keep these plants from the reach of children and pets.
