Purple Passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) is a vigorous, subtropical climbing vine prized for its intensely aromatic, sweet–tart fruit and heavy cropping potential. Well-suited to warm regions like Gisborne, this variety thrives in sunny, sheltered microclimates and produces abundantly once established. With the right support structure and free-draining soil, Purple Passionfruit becomes a reliable, fast-growing backyard staple that rewards growers with exceptional flavour, fragrant flowers, and year-round tropical appeal.
 
Key Features
Produces highly fragrant, sweet–tart purple fruit with strong classic passionfruit flavour
Fast-growing subtropical vine ideal for fencing, pergolas, or trellis systems
Abundant spring–summer flowering followed by heavy crops in late summer–autumn
Attractive ornamental vine with lush foliage and striking white–purple flowers
Ideal for warm coastal climates; performs well in sheltered Gisborne microclimates
 
Growing Tips
Plant in full sun, ideally on a north-facing fence or trellis for maximum warmth
Choose free-draining soil and avoid clay or boggy areas—plant on a mound if needed
Shelter young vines from frost during the first 1–2 winters
Mulch heavily to protect surface roots and maintain moisture
Train the vine early by tying stems to wires or posts to create a strong framework
Feed with compost, seaweed, and low-nitrogen fertilisers to promote fruit set
Avoid overwatering during cold weather; maintain even moisture during summer growth
 
Care Instructions
Watering:
Keep soil evenly moist during warm months, allowing the top layer to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce water in winter.
Feeding:
Apply compost in spring and again in late summer. Use seaweed or fish fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during the growing season.
Pruning:
Prune lightly after fruiting to remove old woody stems and encourage new productive growth. Maintain an open structure for airflow.
Frost Protection:
Use frost cloth for young vines or plant near warm structures (brick, concrete, north-facing walls).
Support:
Provide a strong trellis, wire frame, fence line, or pergola—vines can quickly exceed several metres.