Chris Buckland
The Purple Passion plant is not ordinary; each of its elements has an influential symbolic association.
In the 16th century, when the Portuguese and Spanish missionaries came to the US, they used the Passion Flower to symbolize the story of Jesus Christ. The crucifixion of Christ is a part of the purple passion plant meaning and purple passion flower symbolism. However, different things may have different meanings for other people.
The Passion Flower is eternal, which means that it comes back yearly if adequately taken care of. Its’ flowers are generally purple, hence the name; however they can range from white to lavender also. Due to the purple fuzzy appearance, it’s also called the purple hairy plant.
Some of its leaves will have interchanging colors that will appear in the form of bands on the petals. As the flower completely blooms, it usually has 5 petals and 5 sepals (the flowers’ outer covering before it blooms). The petals, there are string-like segments of purple color, which are known as corona filaments.
This plant generally grows in the holiday season from June to September, making it an excellent gift. You also get a small yellow fruit out of this plant which is called Maypop.
Maypop can grow to the size of a chicken’s egg, and if we pick it at the right time, it may taste like an apricot. However, they are not commonly eaten, but their extracts are used in tea.
Characteristics of Purple Passion Plant
| Origin | Indonesia |
| Botanical Name | Gynura Aurantiaca |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance |
| Height | The potted plant generally reaches 2ft in height once matured. |
| Growing Season | June to September |
| Flower | Spawns stinky flowers in spring |
| Leaves | Dark green leaves with dense purple hairs covering them |
| Age | After the first flowering plant starts to deteriorate slowly but moistening soil will revive it. |
| Light | More light, dense purple-colored leaves |
| Toxicity | Not toxic if taken in a small amount |
| Growth | It can be trained as a vine. |
| Propagation | Can be propagated through spring cuttings. |
| Other names | Wild apricot, and wild passion vine. |
How to make a Purple Passion Flower a Good Gift?
The growing months for the Purple Passion Flower are from June to September; the holiday season- which makes it a great holiday gift.
Here are a few unique and thoughtful ways to gift the Purple Passion Flower:
Making a Small Greenhouse
You can gift a passion plant by plotting its seed in a small pot with soil and placing this pot in a glass jar. Your friends or family can spend their holidays looking after the plant, and ultimately, they will be able to enjoy the benefits of the fruit.
Making Bouquet
The pleasant colors of the flowers can make a beautiful bouquet. So gather up some purple passions, tie them up in a bunch and present it to your loved ones!
How to Grow and Care for Purple Passion Plant?
The most important thing is how to plant and take care of the purple passion plant. The passion plant has intense purple hairs on the leaves that reduce in number as the plant matures, while the color also gradually fades away.
Soil
This plant is grown in regular soil with good drainage as too much water can cause the roots to rot.
Water
Passion plant requires moderate water supply. Not enough water supply will hinder the plant’s growth, and too much water can damage its roots, as the hairy leaves trap the moisture and begin to rot.
Sunlight
Place the passion plant in bright to moderate sunlight, but direct sunlight should not reach the leaves—the more brilliant the plant’s light, the more purplish the color. You must know How Much Light Does Your Plant Needs? for your plant’s best care.
Temperature
The optimum temperature for the passion plant is 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (16-21⁰C).
Fertilize
From spring through fall, fertilize the plant well. However, in winters, fertilize it monthly as part of the plant care routine.
Propagation of Purple Passion Plant
Propagating your purple passion plant is a trouble-free task. The best method is by using stem cuttings. All you need for this is a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears, a pot or planter, a plastic bag, and some potting mix. You can also use a rooting hormone for better results if you wish. Propagation is more successful during the spring and summer growing seasons. We will now explain the steps in detail.
Stem cutting method
- Use your scissors or pruning shear to cut off a healthy stem from your plant. The stem should be 3-4 inches long and have multiple leaves.
- Trim the leaves on the bottom and leave only about 4 leaves on the top.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormones for a better result. This step is optional.
- Take your planter and fill it with potting mix.
- Use a pencil to make a hole big enough for your cutting.
- Put the cutting into the hole and backfill it with potting mix.
- Thoroughly moisten your potting mix.
- Wrap the planter in a plastic bag. This will give your plant a humid environment and help it grow better.
- Place the planter in bright indirect sunlight.
- Remove the plastic cover occasionally to let the leaves dry. Be sure to regularly water your plant to keep the soil moist.
- When you see new growth, the cutting has rooted properly and your plant is ready.
Potting and Repotting of Purple Passion Plant
The purple pasion plant is a fast grower. It can quickly outgrow its pot in which case it is better to repot it in a large pot so it can keep growing. Another circumstance where it’s necessary to repot your pant is if it has root rot. You can save your plant by cutting away the diseased roots and planting it in a new pot. It is best to repot during the growing season in spring and summer.
Here are the steps you need to follow to successfully report your plant
- Thoroughly hydrate your plant 24 hrs before.
- Use a trowel and your hands to gently remove the plant from its old container. Make sure you don’t damage the roots.
- Take your new container and fill the base with potting mix.
- Place your plant in the new container then cover the roots with potting soil.
- Water the soil and your plant is ready.
Uses of Purple Passion Plant
Many people are unaware of the purple passion plant benefits. We will now list out some of the pros of owning a purple passion plant and tell you all about gynura aurantiaca magical properties.
Reduces Insulin Levels:
According to research, purple passion fruit peel flour is known to reduce insulin levels in type 2 diabetic patients. So, use the fruit peel flour to your benefit and reduce your sugar levels!
Anxiety
Imagine getting rid of anxiety with the help of a flower! The purple Passionflower reduces anxiety as certain compounds found in the Passionflower interact with the receptors in the brain, causing relaxation. So, the next time you feel anxious, go smell a purple passionflower or have its tea!
Insomnia
We all love a peaceful night’s sleep. Extracts from the purple passionflower are used in tea, which helps improve sleep and reduce anxiety.
ADHD
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) has sadly become a primary concern for many parents, but the good news is that after much research and surveys, it has been found that passionflower can be a cure for ADHD, along with other herbs like valerian, lemon balm, and Roman chamomile.
Risks of Passion Plant:
The purple passion plant is not toxic to children. Is purple passion toxic to cats?
Absolutely not. The passion plant is nontoxic to all pets. In fact, it is safe for most people when used in small amounts in food flavorings. It is even safe to be used as medicine for eight weeks or taken as a tea for seven nights. However, it may cause side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion.
There isn’t enough reliable information about whether the Passion Flower is useful if applied to the skin or has some side effects. So, till the time there’s no evidence about its benefits for the skin, stick to using it for sleep and anxiety only.
So, to add color and vibrancy to your home garden, growing the Passion plant is a great way. The dense velvety purplish hair that grows on the rich green leaves catches everyone’s eye and adds a touch of class to your home.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I place my purple passion plant?
As a rule of thumb, you can place your purple passion plant in an east-facing window, which offers your plant the strongest, indirect sunlight. If your plant begins to stretch toward the sun (which can become brighter as spring turns to summer), you can rotate it 90 degrees to face a new direction.
Should I cut back my purple passion plant?
I would recommend pruning your Purple Passion Vine back so that it is all 3 feet or shorter in length. That way you reduce the amount of leaves and flowers on the vine, which will make it easier to maintain this way.
Does purple passion grow fast?
A purple passion vine is a fast-growing tropical vine that is easy to grow and suitable for beginners. The plant can grow up to 20 feet if the conditions are right, and it can quickly outgrow its pot in just a few months. Repotting is recommended if the plant gets too big for its pot. Spring is the best time of year to do this, as it marks the start of a new fast-growing season.
How do I give my purple passion plant sunlight?
Place the passion plant in bright to moderate sunlight. But make sure it doesn’t receive direct sunlight as that will damage the leaves.
Is gynura aurantiaca toxic to cats?
The purple passion plant is completely safe and non-toxic to cats or other pets.
