Plants

giant granadilla

Passiflora quadrangularis L.

Family: Passifloraceae · Genus: Passiflora

barbadine

Placenta II Medium No biomass production

giant granadilla — no rights reserved · CC0 · iNaturalist

One of the most vigorous Passiflora vines, with squared stem cross-section (origin of the scientific name). Huge fruit — 15–30 cm, up to 4 kg — with sweet flesh and intense aroma. Native to northern South America, naturalized in the Amazon. Long-lived perennial with very dense canopy; needs sturdy support.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage: Placenta II
Ecological role: Pioneer
Primary stratum: Medium
Strata: Medium, High
Biomass class: No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: High
Drought tolerance: Low
Waterlogging tolerance: Low
Soil pH range: 5–7
Preferred soil texture: Loamy
Hardiness zones: 11–13
Frost tolerance: -1.0 °C

Morphology

Mature height: 4–10 m
Recommended spacing: 4–6 m
Root system: Fibrous
Root depth: Medium
Growth rate: Very fast
Lifespan: 5–15 years
Time to first harvest: 15 months
Productive lifespan: 8 years

Biomes & climate

Amazon Suitable
Atlantic Forest Suitable

Köppen classes

Tropical rainforest (Af) Suitable
Tropical monsoon (Am) Suitable
Tropical savanna with dry winter (Aw) Suitable

Where it fits in a guild

Giant granadilla takes the Medium stratum in the Placenta II phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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🪴 Cultivation

Sturdy trellis or pergola. Spacing 4×5 m. Hot humid climate. Fruits 12–18 months after planting. Frost-intolerant.

✂️ Management & Pruning

Train on a sturdy trellis/pergola; the canopy is very dense. Prune old, dead shoots to open it up and stimulate new productive growth; tolerates renewal pruning.

📅 Phenology

Flowering months: October, November, December, January, February, March

Fruiting months: January, February, March, April, May

❓ Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest of giant granadilla?

The first harvest of giant granadilla comes around 15 months after planting.

What spacing is recommended for giant granadilla?

The recommended spacing for giant granadilla is 4–6 m.

How tall does giant granadilla grow?

At maturity, giant granadilla reaches 4–10 m tall.

When does giant granadilla fruit?

Fruiting of giant granadilla occurs in January, February, March, April, May.

When does giant granadilla flower?

Flowering of giant granadilla occurs in October, November, December, January, February, March.

What stage and stratum does giant granadilla occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, giant granadilla belongs to the placenta ii stage, occupying the medium stratum.

Functions

🍎 Fruit 🐝 Attracts pollinators Ornamental Medicinal

Propagation

Seed, Cutting

Citations

pfaf.org (ph_min, ph_max, soil_texture_preference, waterlogging_tolerance, height_min_m, height_max_m, cultivation_notes)
tropical.theferns.info (frost_tolerance_c, cultivation_notes, biomes)
floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br (biomes, family, genus)