Passion flowers are so stunning when they’re in bloom that it’s no wonder so many of us want to grow even more of them! If you’re looking to propagate your own, you’ve basically got two choices: seeds or cuttings. To be honest, growing them from seed can be a real headache and doesn’t always work out. If you want the best results with much less stress, taking cuttings is definitely the way to go.
Choosing Your Cuttings
First things first, you’ll want to find a healthy side shoot on your Passiflora that’s about 8 inches long. Try to pick one that doesn’t have any flower buds on it yet. Go ahead and trim off any curly tendrils and make sure there are no more than three leaves left on the stem (you’ll be removing the bottom one later anyway). Most importantly, make sure the shoot looks healthy—no brown spots or pests allowed!
Making a Clean Cut
Now it’s time to snip. You’ll want to cut the shoot right where it meets the main stem to keep the mother plant happy and healthy. Here’s a pro tip: always use clean tools! Disinfect your knife or shears before you start to prevent any mold or nasty pathogens from hitching a ride. Even though passion flowers are pretty tough and don’t require a ton of maintenance, a dirty blade is a risk you just don’t need to take.
Potting Your Cutting
Once you’ve got your cutting, here’s what to do next:
- Dip the cut end into some rooting hormone to give it a head start.
- Plant the cutting into some high-quality seed-starting mix.
- Alternatively, peat pellets or cactus soil work great too.
- Keep the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater—you don’t want the roots sitting in a puddle!
Tips and Tricks
To really get those roots moving, keep your pots in a warm spot. A south-facing windowsill right above a radiator is usually the “sweet spot.” To keep the humidity levels high (which these babies love), just pop a clear plastic bag with a few air holes over the top of the pot. It’s like a mini greenhouse!
