Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Propagation, Problems

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Passiflora caerulea also called Blue Passionflower, Southern Beauty, Wild Apricot, Jesus Flower or Passion Flower is among favored flowering plants and bears fragrant blue-white flowers and a rampant climber ideal for indoors.

If left unpruned, it 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.

Passiflora caerulea is ideal for a trellis or a hanging basket where it can display its beautiful flowers and leaves.

Botanical name: Passiflora caerulea
Family: Passifloraceae
Common names: Bluecrown Passionflower, Blue Passionflower, Southern Beauty, Wild Apricot, Jesus Flower, Passion Flower

Origin

Passiflora caerulea is native to the rain forests of Brazil and Argentina where it grows by clinging on tree trunks by use of the tendrils.

Is Passiflora caerulea poisonous?

Yes. Passiflora caerulea 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.

Where to Buy

Are you looking to add Passiflora caerulea to your collection? You may acquire these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Passiflora caerulea Indoors

To care for Passiflora caerulea indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight, warmth of 18-27⁰C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, free-draining soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Bluecrown Passionflower requires regular pruning to keep it neat as well as encourage a bushy growth. Repotting is necessary only when extremely pot-bound as it blooms more when pot-bound. Keep reading for more details on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water your Bluecrown Passionflower liberally in spring and summer while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy as it can result in rotting, yellowing, drooping and leaf drop.

Decrease watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.

Use water that is at room temperature to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth and leaf fall. Only water with chlorine-free water like rainwater to avoid staining and browning of leaf edges and tips.

Select a pot with a draiange hole and a well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot and the death of the plant.

Light Requirements

Bluecrown Passionflower thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning or afternoon sunlight to promote flowering. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.

If light is not adequate, growth will slow down and the plant will not bloom. Therefore, where the natural light is not sufficient, you may use full spectrum grow lights to complement it.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent legginess.

Temperature & Humidity

Passiflora caerulea flourishes in a warmth of 18-27⁰C. Cool nights and warm days with a minimum of 15⁰C are necessary to trigger flower buds.

Keep Blue Passionflower away from sources of drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature which can lead to reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Bluecrown Passionflower prefers a humidity of 60-70%. Too dry air can result in brown leaf tips and edges. To increase humidity, group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain good ventilation to minimize fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Bluecrown Passionflower with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing season. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.

To promote flowering on Passiflora caerulea apply a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer weekly during bud formation.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Bluecrown Passionflower should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent waterlogging. A blend of 2 parts of potting soil and 1 part perlite is perfect for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Blue Passionflower at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), only when the plant is extremely pot-bound as it blooms more when pot-bound.

Use a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Take a look at these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.

Do not repot a plant that is in flower as it can shorten the flowering period due to repotting shock. The large plants can be top-dressed by replacing the top 3-4 inches of soil with fresh soil.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Bluecrown Passionflower involves removal of dead flowers to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage pests and diseases.

Pinch off the growing tips to encourage compact growth and prevent the plant from getting unruly. After flowering, cutback the stems to rejuvenate growth.

Once in a while clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest and disease infestation.

Passiflora caerulea Propagation

Bluecrown Passionflower propagation is best done at the beginning of the growing season from stem-tip cuttings or from seeds.

1. Propagating Bluecrown Passionflower from stem-tip cuttings

1. Take a 4-6 inches long stem-tip cutting from a healthy plant and ensure it has at least 2-3 leaf nodes.


2. Dip the lower end of the stem in a rooting powder to encourage rooting.


3. Fill a small pot with a well-draining soil and moisten it lightly. Use a pot with a drainage hole to prevent rotting.


4. Insert 2-3 inches of the cutting in the moist soil.


5. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


6. Maintain the soil moist through out until the new plant is well established afterwhich you can begin routine care.

2. Growing Bluecrown Passionflower from seeds

1. Sow the seeds about 1/2 inch deep in moist, free-draining soil.


2. Cover the set up with a plastic sheet to create a greenhouse effect.


3. Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


4. Maintain the soil moist through out until the new plants are well established.


5. Gradually remove the plastic cover to acclimate the new plants to ordinary growing conditions and begin routine care.

Passiflora caerulea Problems & Remedies

Bluecrown Passionflower problems are flowerbud drop, yellowing & dropping leaves, yellowing & wilting leaves, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Flowerbud drop

Flowerbud drop off Bluecrown Passionflower is caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, nutrients deficiency, dry air or temperature stress.

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where is will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is inadequate.

Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and a well-draining soil.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in the growing season. To boost flowering, feed it with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer weekly in bud formation stage.

Dry air: To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, radiators, hot air vents, windy doors, stove and others.

Yellowing & dropping leaves

Yellowing and dropping leaves off Blue Passionflower are caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil and temperature stress.

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where is will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or use a grow light if you do not have enough natural light in your home.

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, heat sources, drafty windows, windy doors among others.

Yellowing & wilting leaves

Yellowing and wilting leaves on Bluecrown Passionflower are due to underwatering or drafts.

How to fix it

Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts like hot air vents, stoves, stoves, AC units among others.

Pests

Common pests of Passiflora caerulea are spider mites, aphids and scale insects which are common in dry air conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to the other plants.


2. Treat the plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as indicated by the manufacturers' on the label.


3. Keep the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.


4. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to increase humidity to depress the pests infestations.

Diseases

Bluecrown Passionflower is prone to powdery mildew which is characterized by grey mould on the leaves and is prevalent in warm and humid conditions.

How to fix it

1. Cut off the diseased parts and isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to the other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with Neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions.


3. Ensure a free air flow to depress the disease infestation.


4. Do not mist or wet the foliage as the moisture creates favorable conditions for this disease.

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