Passionfruit

This page has information for commercial passionfruit growers in the Northern Territory (NT).

The passionfruit is a tropical and sub-tropical vine plant which originated in South America. 

In the NT, the Panama Red variety is commonly grown on a Brazilian rootstock to reduce soil-borne pathogens.

Grower advice

Passionfruit requires good drainage or mounding in low lying areas. 

The vines need a trellis or fence for support. Vines  can be grafted, to increase the life-span and the conformity of fruit.

For more information read the growing note panama red passionfruit (65.4 kb).

Watch a video about grafting a passionfruit plant 2008 (7:52 minutes). 

• transcript (14.1 kb)
• transcript (46.0 kb)

Pest and disease management

Passionfruit plants are affected by a number of pests such as red scale, Queensland fruit fly, mealybugs, hemispherical scale, passionvine mite, fruit spotting bug, green vegetable bug, passionvine bug, thrips, aphids, borers, and birds.

Common diseases affecting passionfruit plants include alternatia spot, fusariaum wilt, brown spot, septoria spot, phytophthora blight, anthracnose, scab, cucumber mosaic virus, and passionfruit woodiness virus.

Other insect pests

Visit the Northern Territory Insects Database to identify an insect pest and the damage it can cause.

General information

To read a range of general horticulture advice and information go to General advice for fruit and vegetable growers.

Industry associations

For information about the passionfruit industry  go to the websites of the Passionfruit Australia or NT Farmers.