Passiflora sexflora

Natural range and habitat of Passiflora sexflora

Passiflora sexflora occurs naturally from Mexico to Ecuador, as well as Florida and the Caribbean. In Florida, it grows in gaps left by fallen trees in rockland hammocks: forests growing on rocky ground.

How to grow Passiflora sexflora

• Water: This fast-growing vine can use water quickly while producing new stems. Check the compost regularly and water thoroughly once the surface has dried.
• Light: Give the vine bright indoor light and introduce direct sun gradually. Provide light shade from intense midday sun behind glass.
• Support and pruning: Provide a trellis and guide loose stems with soft ties. If the vine becomes too long, shorten the longest shoots while it is growing strongly; new branches may also appear from the base after pruning.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep the vine warm and away from frost and cold draughts. When growth slows, keep it above about 10°C. Moderate indoor humidity is suitable.
• Potting mix and feeding: Use freely draining compost in a container with drainage holes. Feed on moist compost while the vine is growing, following the fertiliser label, and feed less often when growth slows.
• Repotting: Move into the next pot size once roots form a tight circle around the rootball.
• Propagation: Young non-flowering stem cuttings can be rooted in peat-free cutting compost. Keep them warm, bright and lightly moist until rooted.

Problem signs and solutions for Passiflora sexflora

• The velvety leaves wilt and the pot feels unusually light: Fast growth may have dried the compost more quickly than expected. Water the rootball thoroughly and let the excess drain.
• Pale dry patches form after stronger sun exposure: The leaves may be scorched. Return the plant to bright filtered light and introduce direct sun more gradually.
• 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.
• Fine pale speckling and fine webbing appear among the hairy leaves: Check for spider mites. Isolate the vine, rinse the foliage and use a treatment labelled for spider mites on ornamental plants if needed, repeating it only as directed on the label.

Keep Passiflora sexflora away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

How the name Passiflora sexflora came about

Passiflora combines Latin passio, referring to the Passion of Christ, and flos, “flower”. Sexflora means “six-flowered” and refers to the several flowers that can appear together.

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

Antoine Laurent de Jussieu first described Passiflora sexflora in 1805 in Annales du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, volume 6, plate 37, f. 1.