Out of the 500+ species in the Passiflora family, the Blue Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) definitely holds a special place in my heart—and in many gardens! It’s famous for those stunning 4-inch blue and white blooms that look almost otherworldly. But the real kicker? It’s one of the few varieties that’s actually somewhat cold-hardy.
Caring for your Blue Passionflower
When it comes to picking the perfect spot, the Blue Passionflower is a lot like its cousins: it craves the spotlight. You’ll want to find a location that’s well-sheltered but gets plenty of sun. These beauties are also pretty hungry plants! To keep them happy, start with high-quality potting soil and make sure you’re fertilizing regularly. I recommend mixing a liquid fertilizer into your watering can every two weeks during the growing season.
Fewer winter worries
One of the best things about the Blue Passionflower is that you don’t necessarily have to keep it in a pot. While most passionflowers need to come inside when the temperature drops, this one can actually overwinter outdoors if you give it enough protection. Even younger plants have a solid chance of making it through to spring in temperatures as low as 5°F (-15°C).
Getting your plant ready for the cold
If you’re planning on leaving yours outside, you’ll need to do a little prep work. Give the plant a hard prune in the fall before the first frost hits. You’ll also want to heavily mulch or cover the remaining base and roots to keep them tucked away from the freezing air.
So many varieties to choose from
Because the Blue Passionflower is so hardy, breeders have used it to create some really cool cultivars. For example, ‘Constance Eliott’ features pure white flowers and has an amazing fragrance. Some other popular varieties include:
- Chinensis
- Pierre Pomie
- Spyder
- Wild Brazil
- Majorca
- Gala
Other hardy species to consider
While the Blue Passionflower is the most common, there are a few other Passiflora species that can handle a bit of a chill:
- P. violacea – hardy down to 14°F (-10°C)
- P. tucumanensis – hardy down to 5°F (-15°C)
- P. incarnata (Maypop) – hardy down to 5°F (-15°C)
- P. lutea (Yellow Passionflower) – hardy down to 5°F (-15°C)
