Passionfruit has a unique flavour and is delicious in summer drinks, spooned over banana or as a great surprise for kids when frozen. The fruit comes in a range of colours; yellow, plum, and purple to black. You don't have to wait long, as you will get a good-sized crop 18 months after planting. Passionfruit prefer a north-facing position, however they will also take a westerly or easterly position.

Growing instructions

Plant in early autumn to get a start on the growing season. Create a framework by selecting the vigorous shoots for training along wires or support. Fruit is produced from current season's growth so it is important to trim after the last frost or in early spring. We advise pruning back by about one third. Feed with a fruit tree fertiliser and a little extra potash. Water deeply once a week in spring-summer; add seaweed to the watering can once a week.

In the kitchen

Store passionfruit for weeks in the fridge and remember the glut can be frozen whole, ready when you need it.

Passionfruit tips

• Grafted specimens cope better with wet summers; and we find them stronger and more forgiving. But passionfruit also grow well from seeds and cuttings.
• Plant 'Black Nellie Kelly' and 'Panama Gold' to get fruit all year round.
• Passionfruit vines last only three to five years, replace them after this.
• Grow on trellis, fence or supports that faces west or northwest.
• Passionfruit usually produces one large crop during summer and autumn, but continual cropping is required in more tropical areas.
• Wrinkled skins mean the fruit is ripe and ready for eating. Ripe fruit drops and spoils quickly.

This information kindly provided by the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia.