Passiflora caerulea

Passiflora caerulea, the blue passion flower, is the hardiest, most exotic climber from seed — intricate blue-and-white crowned blooms on a vigorous, tendril-climbing vine.
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Passiflora caerulea — blue passion flower

Passiflora caerulea is the botanical name for the blue passion flower, the hardiest and most exotic-looking climber you can raise from seed. It is the species behind our passion flower and passiflora range within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

Native to South America, the passion flower was named by early Spanish missionaries who saw in its extraordinary structure the symbols of the Passion of Christ — the corona as the crown of thorns, the stamens and styles as the wounds and nails.

The names capture both halves of the story: Passiflora means “passion flower,” from that religious symbolism, while caerulea means “sky-blue,” for the colour of the filaments crowning each bloom.

Botanical characteristics

A vigorous, tendril-climbing woody perennial, Passiflora caerulea bears intricate flowers with white petals and a striking corona banded in blue, purple and white, often followed by egg-shaped orange fruits. Fast and self-clinging, it is a spectacular choice among our climbing flowers, and the nectar-laden blooms draw in bees as one of our pollinator-friendly flowers.

Growing Passiflora caerulea from seed

Passion flower seed germinates slowly and erratically, so be patient — sow in warmth in spring, and soaking the seed beforehand can help. Grow young plants on under cover, then plant out after frost in full sun against a warm, sheltered wall with a sturdy support. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow passion flowers? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Passion Flower · Passiflora · Climbing Flowers · Pollinator Flowers · All Flower Seeds

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

What is Passiflora caerulea?
It is the blue passion flower, a vigorous tendril-climbing perennial with intricate blue-and-white flowers, the hardiest of the passion flowers. Why is it called the passion flower?
Early missionaries saw the symbols of the Passion of Christ in its structure — the crown of thorns, nails and wounds. When should I sow Passiflora caerulea seeds?
Sow in warmth in spring; germination is slow and erratic, so be patient. See our flower sowing calendar for timing. Where should I grow passion flower?
In full sun against a warm, sheltered wall with a sturdy support for it to climb.