Before you decide to engage in passion fruit growing, you’ve to answer, “Where do passion fruits grow”

Here’s my view as a horticulturist.

There’s no straightforward answer to that question.

However, I will attempt to answer it anyway.

To start it off, it is important to know the origin and nature of the passion fruit plant…

…if we are to answer the question, “Where do passion fruits grow”

Ready?

Let us consider the…

Origin of The Passion Plant and its effect on where it can grow profitably

Passion is a wonderful tropical plant.

It originated in the warm winter free areas of South America.

From there traders and merchants distributed to Africa, Australia, Turkey and other regions that have a climate similar to that of its native homeland.

From that statement I’ve mentioned, one thing is clear.

“If you farm in the temperate regions you cannot grow passion fruit.”

The harsh winters in your area can’t allow passion farming.

Another thing that would make it difficult to grow passion fruit in temperate regions is it growth habits.

The passion fruit plant needs a full one year or more for it to mature and start producing fruit. This requirement is problematic because it will have to go through winter—if grown in the temperate regions.

Growing passion fruit through winter would be difficult and perhaps impossible.

Why?

You’ll need to grow the passion vine heated environment in winter.

I know with the advent of technology, this might be possible, but the question is “Does such passion fruit growing make economic sense in the temperate region?”

That’s is where I am not sure—and it’s a debate for another day.

Now that is settled that the tropics are the best places to grow passion fruit, lets answer this other question:

Conditions in the tropics that determine where to grow passion fruit.

Like every other crop, within the passion fruit family, there are specific varieties that are uniquely adapted to take advantage of the VARIED climatic conditions within the tropics.

The tropical areas don’t have a homogeneous set of climatic condition, altitude, soils or even temperatures.

Each of the cultivars within the passion family are therefore uniquely adapted to divergent conditions in the tropics.

So if you are in the tropics, the biggest question for you will be…

Which passion fruit variety is suitable for growing in my area?

In the passion family, there are two popular varieties: the purple and yellow varieties.

The yellow varieties happen to be more hardy and vigorous than the purple varieties. They have to the ability to grow from an altitude of 0-1500 meters above sea level, resist hot weather, diseases and pests.

Unfortunately, the yellow passion fruit is not as popular as the purple fruit.

But all is not lost for prospective farmers who live in the dry harsh areas where yellow passion is the best choice.

What they do is to use the yellow passion as a rootstock for the purple passion.

When it comes to the purple passion fruit, the most suitable are is an altitude of 1500-1800 meters above sea level. Farmers in these altitudes can still graft the purple passion on yellow passion, so that they can take advantage of the vigor of yellow passion.

Follow link to know more about the various passion fruit varieties

Conclusion:

Passion fruit plant thrive in the tropical areas.

There are various varieties within the passion family that can in the diverse conditions in the tropics

The only place where passion can’t grow is where the soil is waterlogged and soggy—so if your farm has these conditions—sorry, find an alternative plant.

What are your thoughts on this topic on where do passion fruits grow?

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