skip to main content

Passiflora mollissima in a container?

8 years ago

Hello,

I would like to know if a Passiflora mollissima would work in a container with a trellis. I live a stone's throw from Golden Gate Park in SF and the crazy vines are all up in the trees along the south side of the park (and Strybing) so I know the climate is okay!

I only realized recently that these were passiflora! I have a large octagonal container (3 1/2 feet in diameter, 3 feet high) in an area that is faces west and is sunny for 5 or 6 hours in afternoon and warm against the house. It gets the wind so a Meyer lemon was not happy there.

Would Passiflora mollissima like a container, would it go too crazy? What type of trellis? I was thinking cone shaped? Does it need a lot of water?

I am very much a novice and am learning the limitations of my area of San Francisco...

Any help or advice is appreciated!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

holzinger
8 years ago
Chezlouise, the pot you have is plenty big to grow P. mollissima, or whichever species you really have, since the old P. mollissima has been split into two other species names. The hard part is controlling the growth. You will need some strong support and probably need to redirect the growing tips to keep it within bounds. The wind will also be a problem, but the vine should survive even if it gets ripped by winter storms. Use either a wood, or a wire trellis, whatever is easier to anchor to some stronger structure, like the house. I would highly recommend talking to someone at Strybring to get their views on growing passifloras outdoors there.
chezlouise
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you... I walk through the arboretum 2-3 times a week so I will make it a point to talk with someone about it.
Related Discussions
P. mollissima
Q
Comments (13)
Good luck with your seeds. I think the plant is more susceptable to overwatering then many other varieties. One of my vines was up on an orchid shelf for lack of GH space and was getting a lot of water. I noticed the poor vine looking limp but was luckily able to save it. I pulled it out of it's pot, rinsed off the soil and repotted it in some barely moist soiless mix. I kept the whole thing in a sealed plastic bag and it looks great again. It's been in the bag for about 3 weeks with no additional water. I'm afraid to take it out. lol Karyn
...See More
Banana passion fruit (passiflora mollissima)
Q
Comments (3)
Hi Daniel, I'm curious if you've tasted your fruits. I grew P. tripartita var. mollissima ("true" mollissima) in Sunnyvale and tasted P. tarminiana (the plant normally called "mollissima") and thought they were both awful. However, I've been assured that at least some strains are very good, though. Apparently Strybing has such strains and they might be selling something (or other Tacsonias no doubt) at next Saturday's sale. If you are in the summer cool part of zone 10 (Sunset zone 17 or 24, not sure about 23) and want good fruit, you might try P. antioquiensis. I've heard that is good tasting although have not tried the species fruit (just a couple hybrids). They often have that at Strybing sales and had it at the UC Berkeley B.G. plant shop last I was there. If you are in the hot part of zone 10 (Southern California, Sunset zones 21, 22) you might need to give your plants afternoon shade. If there is a really hot part of zone 10 (Palm Springs area?) it might be too hot.
...See More
Best potting mix for passiflora in containers
Q
Comments (3)
They do just fine in that medium. I complete fertilizer a couple of times a year, but most of my plants don't stay in the pot that long, they get planted in the ground. Growing in this medium the average passiflora will go from seedling to plantable in less than a year.
...See More
Quality of P. mollissima fruit?
Q
Comments (3)
I don’t have experience with it but it looks like another interesting variety to try! I hope someone has some good experience with it. I just have a Fredrick currently and am hoping to get some other varieties this spring.
...See More

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Passiflora Incarnata

By Ginny Stibolt

Enjoy the amazing flowers and edible fruit of U.S. native Passiflora incarnata (also known as maypop) — the butterflies sure do

CONTAINER GARDENS Freshen Up the Bath With Lush and Healthy Plants

By Laura Gaskill

Learn how to choose and care for plants that will do well in your space

FLOWERS 5 Sensational Flowering Vines for Warm Climates

By Steve Asbell

Splash your garden with bright tropical color from late summer through fall with these showy trailing and climbing beauties

LIGHTING 10 Chandeliers for People Who Don't Like Chandeliers

Get all the chandelier benefits without channeling Liberace, thanks to wood, paper, wire — and even a surprising old-fashioned staple

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Recipe for Tropical Edible Garden Style

Appeal to exotic good taste with fruit trees, palms and tropical look-alikes in your temperate-climate garden

GARDENING GUIDES How to Go Bold With Summer Garden Color

By Steve Asbell

Get dramatic color in your garden from summer through fall with these tips for plantings, furniture and backdrops

LANDSCAPE DESIGN See 5 Unexpected Ways to Use Vines

By Falon Mihalic

Vines can grow over slopes, trail off pergolas and add seasonal color to the garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN The 7 Best Plant Types for Creating Privacy and How to Use Them

By Falon Mihalic

Follow these tips for using different kinds of plants as living privacy screens

GREEN BUILDING Houzz Tour: An Innovative Home Shows What It’s Made Of

By Annie Thornton

Homeowners design their Washington, D.C., residence with sustainability in mind and to accommodate them as they get older

Sponsored

EK Interior Design

5 Reviews

TIMELESS INTERIOR DESIGN FOR ENDLESS MEMORIES