Scarlet Passion Flower Plant Care
Passiflora cinnabarina Lindl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Passiflora cinnabarina, commonly known as red passionflower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Passifloraceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a climber or scrambler with three-lobed leaves and red flowers.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Scarlet Passion Flower?
Water Scarlet Passion Flower 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 Scarlet Passion Flower Native To?
What Is the Scarlet Passion Flower?
Scarlet Passion Flower (Passiflora cinnabarina) belongs to the Passifloraceae family within the Passiflora genus. Scarlet Passion Flower is native to south-eastern Australia.
Scarlet Passion Flower displays a vigorous climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Scarlet Passion Flower produces unique, intricate, colorful flowers with a central crown-like structure.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Scarlet Passion Flower?
Passiflora cinnabarina 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 Scarlet Passion Flower Need?
Scarlet Passion Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Scarlet Passion Flower Prefer?
Passiflora cinnabarina grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Scarlet Passion Flower 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 Scarlet Passion Flower?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. Good drainage is essential for Scarlet Passion Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Scarlet Passion Flower?
Feed Scarlet Passion Flower 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 Scarlet Passion Flower?
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 Scarlet Passion Flower?
Scarlet Passion Flower 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 Scarlet Passion Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Scarlet Passion Flower, 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 Scarlet Passion Flower?
Scarlet Passion Flower 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 Scarlet Passion Flower Need?
Scarlet Passion Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Scarlet Passion Flower is native to south-eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Scarlet Passion Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Scarlet Passion Flower 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.
Scarlet Passion Flower 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 cinnabarina Lindl., family Passifloraceae (first published in Gard. Chron. 1855: 724 (1855)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Scarlet Passion Flower, 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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