Light
Very bright / some direct • approx. 20,000–40,000 lux
Buy 4 plants, get 1 free
Passifloraceae
Passiflora ornithoura
- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
VAT included · plus
Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots, Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro, How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
Secure shipping, carefully packed orders with safe delivery across the EU, UK and Switzerland.
28-day plant guarantee, if a plant arrives damaged or fails soon after delivery, we help you make it right.
Free returns, simple, cost-free returns according to our policy.
For full details, please see:
Please head to our FAQ Page or Contact us.
Passiflora ornithoura
Quick Care Guide
Watering
Water when ~20–35% dry
Substrate
Aerated • Moisture-buffered • Balanced organic + mineral • Medium
Temperature
Ideal: 18–24 °C • Avoid below: 7 °C
Humidity
Humid 60–80 % +
Growth habit
Climbing tendril-bearing vine.
Support
recommended
Growth speed
High
Max size indoors
Max. height with support: 800 cm • Max. spread: 40 cm
Toxicity & safety
Toxic
Origin & habitat
Native from Guatemala to Honduras
Outdoor growing
Outside from 12 °C · sheltered spot
How to read these values
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
- Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
- Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
- Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
- Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.
- Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
- Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
- Growth speed: expected pace under suitable indoor conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term indoor size under good conditions.
- Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
- Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
- Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.
Passiflora ornithoura – Rare Bird-Tail Passionflower
Passiflora ornithoura Mast. ex J.D.Sm. is a fascinating member of subgenus Decaloba, highly valued by collectors for its unusual foliage and strikingly patterned flowers. Its leaves show a distinctive bilobed shape, almost like a “V-sign” formed by two slender fingers, with subtle variegation and folds that give the plant a sculptural quality. While its leaves are the main attraction, the blossoms deserve equal attention: small but colorful, they combine green and pale purple petals with corona filaments tipped in vibrant yellow.
Notable Traits of Passiflora ornithoura
- Leaf Form: Bilobed, tail-like leaves with fine folds and decorative variegation.
- Flowers: Small blooms around 1.5 cm in diameter, displaying green and pale purple petals.
- Corona Detail: Short filaments ending in vivid yellow tips add contrast to the flowers.
- Growth Type: A climbing vine with slender stems, well suited for trellises or mesh supports.
Natural Habitat
Described by Masters and later formalized by John Donnell Smith, Passiflora ornithoura is native to Central America, where it inhabits warm, humid forests. Like other members of the subgenus Decaloba, it prefers shaded to semi-shaded conditions and scrambles through shrubs and understory vegetation in its natural range.
Care Guidelines for Passiflora ornithoura
- Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal; partial shade mimics its natural forest habitat.
- Water: Keep substrate evenly moist but never waterlogged.
- Humidity: Thrives with higher humidity; suitable for greenhouses or indoor groupings.
- Substrate: Use a loose, airy mix combining organic matter with mineral components.
- Nutrients: Apply a diluted, balanced fertilizer during active growth for healthy foliage and blooms.
- Support: Provide a trellis or netting to encourage natural climbing behavior.
Potential Growing Challenges
- Flowering Indoors: Blooms may be less frequent in low light conditions; stronger light improves chances.
- Pests: Watch for spider mites or aphids in dry indoor air; regular inspection helps prevention.
- Leaf Curling: Often linked to underwatering or inconsistent care routines.
Additional Notes
This species is especially admired for the unusual combination of bilobed foliage and miniature, multi-colored flowers. Although delicate in size, the yellow-tipped corona filaments create a striking effect up close. For collectors of rare passionflowers, Passiflora ornithoura offers both botanical curiosity and ornamental value.
Etymology of Passiflora ornithoura
The genus name Passiflora was coined by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, combining Latin passio (“passion”) and flora (“flower”). The species epithet ornithoura derives from the Greek words ὄρνις (ornis, “bird”) and ουρά (ura, “tail”), referencing the bilobed, tail-like appearance of its leaves.
Why Add Passiflora ornithoura to Your Collection?
With its bird-tail leaves and miniature yet vividly detailed flowers, Passiflora ornithoura is a standout among rare passionflowers. Secure your plant today and enjoy a climber that combines unusual foliage with intricate blooms.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.
FAQs about Passiflora ornithoura
Recently viewed:
Sign up for Foliage Factory newsletter for early access to new arrivals and practical care tips that work in real homes.