Sweet granadilla Passiflora ligularis
Sweet granadilla (Passiflora ligularis) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Passifloraceae family, native to Andes from Mexico to Bolivia. It grows 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Sweet granadilla in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sweet granadilla at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Passifloraceae |
| Mature height | 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | about 34–52 weeks after planting, for 17–34 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit pulp (sweet, eaten with a spoon) |
| Native to | Andes from Mexico to Bolivia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇰🇪 Kenya |
Is Sweet granadilla toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves
Passion-vine leaves contain cyanogenic compounds.
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 Sweet granadilla
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Sweet granadilla
- How far apart should I plant Sweet granadilla?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Sweet granadilla need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sweet granadilla need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Sweet granadilla?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Sweet granadilla flower?
- About 34–52 weeks after planting, for 17–34 weeks.
- Is Sweet granadilla poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Passion-vine leaves contain cyanogenic compounds.
- What grows well with Sweet granadilla?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sweet granadilla. 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).
- Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- Orange hard-shelled fruit, sweeter than purple passion fruit. A cool highland crop (about 1,500–2,700 m in Colombia).
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
- Banana passionfruit (curuba) Passiflora tripartita
- Giant granadilla (badea) Passiflora quadrangularis
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus