Passiflora coriacea

Natural range and habitat of Passiflora coriacea

Passiflora coriacea occurs naturally from Nicaragua and Panama through northern and western tropical South America to Bolivia, including Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Venezuela. In the wild, its vines climb shrubs and small trees in wet tropical vegetation, including moist forest edges and the margins of rivers and streams.

Passiflora coriacea: growing and care

• Position: Give the vine a bright, protected place indoors. Move it into stronger light gradually and provide light shade from intense midday sun behind glass.
• Training: Provide a sturdy trellis for the tendrils. Guide loose stems with soft ties and leave room for the stems to thicken as their bases become woody.
• Water: Let the compost surface dry before watering thoroughly. Allow all excess to drain from the pot, then empty the saucer or outer pot.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep the plant frost-free and sheltered from cold draughts. Steady room warmth and moderate indoor humidity suit it well.
• Potting mix and feeding: Use freely draining potting compost in a container with drainage holes. Feed on moist compost while new stems and leaves are developing, following the label, and feed less often once growth slows.
• Repotting: Move into the next pot size when roots circle tightly around the rootball. A root-filled pot may also begin drying much faster than usual after watering.

Managing problems with Passiflora coriacea

• The broad leaves droop while the compost is dry: The vine needs water. Water the rootball thoroughly and let the pot drain completely.
• Pale, dry patches form after a sudden increase in direct sun: Sun scorch is likely. Move the plant back to filtered light and increase direct exposure gradually.
• A stem becomes indented where it is tied to the support: The tie is pressing into the stem. Loosen or replace it so the stem has room to thicken.
• Roots turn dark and soft: These signs can indicate root rot. Cut affected roots back to firm healthy tissue with a clean tool, discard the rotten material and repot in fresh, freely draining potting mix.

Passiflora coriacea is toxic to cats and dogs

• Keep this plant away from cats and dogs that may chew it.
• Chewing may cause mouth irritation, vomiting, stomach pain or weakness.
• Contact a veterinarian after pet ingestion. Seek medical advice if a person swallows the plant and becomes unwell.

The meaning and history of Passiflora coriacea

Passiflora combines Latin passio, referring to the Passion of Christ, and flos, “flower”. Coriacea comes from Latin coriaceus, meaning “leathery”, and refers to the foliage texture.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Passiflora in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 955.

Antoine Laurent de Jussieu first described Passiflora coriacea in 1805 in Annales du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, volume 6, page 109.