Passiflora foetida aka Mossy Passionflower

Taxonomy

Passiflora foetida, also known as stinking passionflower, wild maracuja, bush passion fruit, wild water lemon, stoneflower, love-in-a-mist, or running pop, is a creeping vine native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and much of South America. This species of passionflower has been introduced to tropical regions around the world and is known to be invasive in some areas. It tolerates arid ground but prefers moist areas. The plant yields an edible fruit and is also a widely grown perennial climber that has been used in traditional medicine. The specific epithet 'foetida' means "stinking" in Latin, referring to the strong aroma emitted by damaged foliage. Passiflora vitifolia 'Scarlet Flame' (Red Granadilla), on the other hand, is a vigorous evergreen climber that blooms with reddish-orange flowers from early summer to fall. It thrives in full sun in fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Finally, the super rare houseplant, Fetid Passionflower, needs regular watering to thrive and prefers soil that is well-draining. It should be placed in long-lasting, direct light and supplemented with a gentle, organic fertilizer throughout the peak growing season.

Common names

Mossy Passionflower, Running Pop, Wild Water Lemon

How to care for Mossy Passionflower

Difficulty

Mossy Passionflower presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Mossy Passionflower should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Mossy Passionflower loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Mossy Passionflower thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Wild Water Lemon.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Mossy Passionflower to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.


More info:
Wikipedia