Red passion flower (Passiflora coccinea)
Care, watering, light and tips for Red passion flower on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Passifloraceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Red passion flower
Passiflora coccinea, also known as the Scarlet Passionflower, is a vigorous and striking climbing plant native to South America. It is distinguished by its bright, exotic red flowers that attract pollinators, bringing a vibrant, tropical touch to pergolas, fences, or walls. It is ideal for warm gardens or as a houseplant in cooler climates, where its distinctive blooms can be appreciated up close.
Native range
South America, specifically in the Amazon basin (Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia).
Care tips
It requires full sun for abundant flowering and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Keep the substrate consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging, especially during the flowering and active growth period. Protect from intense cold and frost, as it is not tolerant of low temperatures; a common mistake is to leave it exposed to harsh winters. Provide sturdy support for its tendrils to climb.
How to save a dying Red passion flower
- Warning signs
- Yellow or drooping leaves, dry or brittle stems, no flowering or wilted flowers.
- First aid
- Move to partial shade. Water if substrate is dry. Prune dry stems. Check for pests (spider mites).
- What kills it
- Excessive direct sun and extreme dryness, leading to rapid dehydration. Also waterlogging.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not rotted and green stems remain. It's resilient, but needs quick attention.