Passiflora cacao Plant Care
Passiflora cacao Bernacci & M.M.Souza
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Passiflora cacao is a species of Passiflora found in São Paulo and Southern Bahia, Brazil. The plant flowers in the winter in habitat
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Passiflora cacao?
Water Passiflora cacao every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 50–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Passiflora cacao Native To?
What Is the Passiflora cacao?
Passiflora cacao (Passiflora cacao) belongs to the Passifloraceae family within the Passiflora genus. Passiflora cacao is native to São Paulo and Southern Bahia, Brazil.
Passiflora cacao displays a vigorous climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Passiflora cacao produces unique, intricate, colorful flowers with a central crown-like structure.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Passiflora cacao?
Passiflora cacao requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Passiflora cacao Need?
Passiflora cacao thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Passiflora cacao Prefer?
Passiflora cacao grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Passiflora cacao prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Passiflora cacao?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. Good drainage is essential for Passiflora cacao to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Passiflora cacao?
Feed Passiflora cacao every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Passiflora cacao?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Passiflora cacao?
Passiflora cacao can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to passion fruit vine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Passiflora cacao Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Passiflora cacao, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Passiflora cacao?
Passiflora cacao is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Passiflora cacao Need?
Passiflora cacao grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Passiflora cacao is native to São Paulo and Southern Bahia, Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Passiflora cacao as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Passiflora cacao is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Passiflora genus — compare its care with other Passiflora species on PlantoScan.
Passiflora is part of the Passifloraceae plant family — browse all Passifloraceae genera and species.
Passiflora cacao thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Passiflora Species
Other Passiflora species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Passiflora cacao Bernacci & M.M.Souza, family Passifloraceae (first published in Novon 22: 2 (2012)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Passiflora cacao, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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