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

Description

Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) also called Blue Passionflower, Southern Beauty, Wild Apricot, Jesus Flower or Passion Flower is a rampant climber and a an ideal houseplant.

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.

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

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.

Toxicity

Bluecrown Passionflower 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.

Where to Buy

Blue Passionflower Plants are readily available online at Etsy.

Buy Bluecrown Passionflower Online from Etsy

Passiflora caerulea Care Indoors

Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) requires bright light with some direct sunlight, cool to average warmth, humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, free-draining soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Passiflora caerulea requires regular pruning to keep it neat as well as encourage a bushy growth. Repotting is necessary only when the plant is 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 Bluecrown Passionflower thoroughly and keep the soil moist at all times. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Decrease watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Ensure the pot has a draiange hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and the eventual death of the plant.

Light Requirements

Bluecrown Passionflower grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight to promote flowering.

If light is inadequate, Blue Passionflower may not bloom. Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.

Passiflora caerulea can also grow under grow lights where natural light is inadequate. Check out this link to Amazon for full spectrum grow lights.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth with a minimum of 13⁰C is ideal for Bluecrown Passionflower. Cool nights and warm days with a 15⁰C are necessary to trigger flower buds.

Protect Blue Passionflower from cold and hot draughts to prevent sudden changes in temperature as they can cause leaf drop and reduced growth.

Bluecrown Passionflower prefers high humidity inorder to thrive. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

Fertilizer

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

To promote flowering in Blue Passionflower 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 it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.

Most multi-purpose potting mixes like this quality potting mix available at Etsy are ideal for Blue Passionflower.

Repotting

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 plant that is in flower as it can shorten the flowering period due to repotting shock.

Repot 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 the plant. Check out these Flower Pots with Multi Mesh Drainage Holes on Amazon.

The large Blue Passionflower plants can be top-dressed by replacing the top 3-4 in of soil with fresh soil.

Pruning

Pruning Bluecrown Passionflower is easy. Remove dead flowers to maintain the plant neat and tidy 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, cut back the stems to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) 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 cutting in moist free-draining soil and place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight.

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

Gradually remove the plastic cover to acclimatize the new Bluecrown Passionflower plants to ordinary growing conditions.

Passiflora caerulea Problems

Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) problems include leaf drop, yellowing, wilting, flowerbud drop, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Yellowing and dropping leaves

There are two possible causes of yellowing and dropping leaves in Bluecrown Passionflower. One possible cause is too little light.

Move the Blue Passionflower to a brighter spot where is will receive bright light with some direct sunlight or instal a grow light where natural light is inadequate.

The second possible cause of yellowing leaves and leaf drop in Bluecrown Passionflower is underwatering. Maintain the soil consistently moist and never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Dropping flower buds

The are two possible causes of flower bud drop in Bluecrown Passionflower. One possible cause is underwatering.

Water the plant thoroughly during the growing season and maintain the soil consistently moist. Reduce watering in the cold season but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

The second possible cause of flower bud drop in Blue Passionflower is underfeeding. Feed the plant every 4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.

To promote flowering, feed it with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer weekly during bud formation.

Yellowing and wilting leaves

Yellowing and wilting leaves in Bluecrown Passionflower are due to underwatering. Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Pests

Bluecrown Passionflower pests; Spider Mites, Aphids and Scale Insects. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Read more on how to identify and control houseplants pests.

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. Therefore, do not mist the plant and improve air circulation to discourage the disease.