Giant granadilla (badea) Passiflora quadrangularis
Giant granadilla (badea) (Passiflora quadrangularis) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Passifloraceae family, native to Tropical America (Central America to Brazil). It grows 5–15 m (16–49 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
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Giant granadilla (badea) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Passifloraceae |
| Mature height | 5–15 m (16–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit pulp, rind (cooked) |
| Native to | Tropical America (Central America to Brazil) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Giant granadilla (badea) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: roots, unripe fruit, leaves
Leaves, unripe fruit and the root (reported narcotic) contain cyanogenic compounds; the ripe pulp and cooked rind are eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Giant granadilla (badea)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Giant granadilla (badea)
- How far apart should I plant Giant granadilla (badea)?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Giant granadilla (badea) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Giant granadilla (badea) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Giant granadilla (badea)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Giant granadilla (badea) flower?
- From about May for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Giant granadilla (badea) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Leaves, unripe fruit and the root (reported narcotic) contain cyanogenic compounds; the ripe pulp and cooked rind are eaten.
- What grows well with Giant granadilla (badea)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Giant granadilla (badea). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Fruits of Warm Climates (Morton, 1987), Purdue University NewCROP
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
- Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Notes and assumptions
- The largest passion fruit, up to 30 cm long, on square-stemmed vines; the fragrant crimson-and-white flowers often need hand-pollination where carpenter bees are absent.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Passion fruit Passiflora edulis
- Blue passion flower Passiflora caerulea
- Sweet granadilla Passiflora ligularis
- Banana passionfruit (curuba) Passiflora tripartita
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus