Passion Flower 'Lavender Lady' (Passiflora 'Lavender Lady')

Passion flower 'Lavender Lady' (Passiflora 'Lavender Lady', syn. 'Amethyst', 'Star of Mikan') is a vigorous, evergreen vine prized for its large, exotic, lavender-purple flowers. A hybrid in the Passifloraceae family, it's a popular ornamental for trellises, arbors, and containers.

Description

Fast-growing vine to 15–20 feet. Leaves are deeply 3-lobed, glossy green. Flowers are 3–4 inches across, complex structure with white petals and sepals, a corona of lavender-purple filaments, and prominent central structures. Blooms from early summer to fall. Fruit is an oval, orange-yellow berry (may be edible but not notable).

Growing Conditions

• Zones: 9–11 as perennial; grown as annual or overwintered indoors elsewhere.
• Light: Full sun to part shade. Best flowering in full sun.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained, consistently moist.
• Water: Regular; don't let dry out completely.
• Temperature: Heat-loving; protect from frost.
• Support: Requires trellis, arbor, or fence for tendrils to climb.

Care & Maintenance

Prune in late winter to control size and encourage new flowering wood. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer during growth. In containers, provide large pot and sturdy support. Overwinter indoors in bright light; cut back hard. Propagate from cuttings.

Uses

Trellises, fences, arbors, pergolas, and large containers. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Host plant for Gulf Fritillary and other butterflies.

Potential Issues

Root knot nematodes, spider mites, caterpillars (butterfly larvae). Can be aggressive in ideal climates—monitor spread. Fruit drop if not pollinated.

A flamboyant, floriferous vine that brings tropical drama to vertical spaces.