Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima seed | Banana Passionfruit

Banana passionfruit seed

LATIN NAME: Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima COMMON NAME: Banana Passionfruit

Botanical Profile

Banana passionfruit is native to the high-altitude Andes of South America, growing as a vigorous climbing vine with softly lobed, three-part leaves and dramatic pendulous pink flowers, followed by elongated, banana-shaped yellow fruit quite different in form from the rounder, more familiar purple and yellow passionfruit species. Its cool mountain origin gives it greater cold tolerance than many tropical passionfruit relatives.

Science & Conservation

While banana passionfruit is grown for its fragrant, sweet-tart fruit in parts of its native Andean range, it has become a seriously invasive species in several introduced regions, most notably Hawaii and New Zealand, where its vigorous climbing growth smothers native forest canopy, and extensive invasive-species research and costly control programmes have been undertaken specifically to manage its spread in these vulnerable island ecosystems. This significant conservation research stands in real tension with the plant’s genuine culinary appeal.

Landscape & Practical Uses

Banana passionfruit produces sweet, aromatic fruit eaten fresh or used in juices and desserts across parts of the Andes, and its dramatic pink flowers give it real ornamental appeal on a trellis. Given its well-documented, serious invasive potential in several regions, particularly island ecosystems such as Hawaii and New Zealand, it is genuinely important to check local invasive-species guidance before planting this vine outside its native Andean range.

Growing From Seed

Sow the seed into a loose, well-drained mix and keep it consistently moist, providing a sturdy support for this vigorous climbing vine from an early stage. Bright light and cool to moderate temperatures suit this Andean species well, and given its documented invasive potential in some regions, plant it only where appropriate and with awareness of local ecological guidance.

Our Take

We would only recommend this one to gardeners in climates where it is not known to be invasive, and we would strongly encourage checking local guidance first – the fruit is genuinely delicious, but the well-documented damage this vine has done in places like Hawaii is not something to take lightly.

Herb Seeds