Plant Doctor Archive

Caring for passion fruit

Question I HAVE a young passion fruit tree about six months old. After how many years is it frost free? Also, what do you feed them? Could you also tell me what to feed tamarillo trees?

Answer PASSIONFRUIT are semi-evergreen tendril climbing perennial vines and enjoy a warm, sheltered, frost-free position. If you are unable to provide these conditions, maybe you should consider planting your passionfruit in a pot so that it can be moved before frost sets in. If planting into pots is not an option, you could consider using frost cloth to cover the vine. Frost cloth lets in light, but keeps frost off plants and is very effective. It can be left on for a period of time or removed each day. Frost cloth is available from hardware stores and garden centres.

Feed passionfruit with a specially blended citrus tree fertiliser for the best results. Passionfruit are fast growing and so require regular feeding — at least four times during the growing season. Avoid applying fertiliser in autumn as this will promote soft growth that will not be adequately hardened off before winter.

Passionfruit are short-lived plants bearing fruit for 5–6 years. After this time, replant new vines.

Tamarillos are also frost tender plants; a warm, sunny, sheltered position is important. Apply a citrus tree fertiliser at the recommended rate in spring.