View basket “Guavadilla/Yellow Passionfruit” has been added to your basket.

Bananadilla Vine (Passiflora Mollissima)

Bananadilla fruits resemble small, straight bananas measuring 10–14 cm in length. The skin is similar to that of a granadilla, but is much more tender. When ripe, the flesh turns yellow-orange and contains sweet, edible orange pulp filled with small, black edible seeds.

The vines produce striking pink flowers that hang gracefully downwards, making the plant highly ornamental.

Bananadilla can become invasive if planted near trees, as the vigorous vines climb rapidly and may smother or strangle branches. Prune regularly to prevent growth.

Please note that our imported tropical plants may arrive smaller in size than expected. This is completely normal, as young plants are shipped to ensure they travel safely and establish well in their new environment. With proper care, warmth, and growing conditions, they will develop quickly and grow into strong, healthy, mature plants.

Scroll down for the Growing information:

SKU: TROP-BAND-01 Categories: All Tropicals, Banadilla Passiflora

Description

Position

Full sun or partial shade; at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Best suited to a tropical climate.

Size

Vigorous growing, semi-woody vine that typically grows 20 meters in length. Prune regularly to control the banana’s highly vigorous, rapid growth.

Soil Type

Loose, well-aerated, well-drained, slightly acidic soil that holds moisture. An ideal mixture is loamy soil, a mixture of sand, silt, and clay. pH 6.0 – 7.0. Adding half a bag of Volcanic Rock Dust and a bag of Superfrass will help promote rapid growth.

Watering

Regular, consistent moisture is essential for the plant’s health, especially when it is young. Bananadilla plants are thirsty. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

Mulching

Add a thick layer of pine bark mulch, keeping it about 20 to 30 centimeters away from the tree trunk (any closer may cause excess moisture and damage the trunk). Pine Bark mulch helps retain moisture in the soil and prevents weeds.

Fertilising

Apply 1 teaspoon of our slow-release all-plant fertilizer every 4 months. The roots will absorb what they need.

Pruning

The ideal time to prune a bananadilla vine is in late winter, after the last frost but before new growth begins. Avoid pruning in autumn or winter, as the vine is preparing for colder weather and relies on its leaves for protection and energy production.

Pruning improves airflow, helps prevent disease, encourages vigorous new growth, and can increase fruit production. Select one or two strong main stems and train them up a support structure to create a sturdy framework. Remove dead, damaged, crossing, or overcrowded branches to allow more sunlight and air into the vine. Side shoots can be trimmed back to the third node or bud on the stem, where new leaves or flowers will develop.

Practice good garden hygiene (remove fallen fruit and leaves).

Harvesting

Harvest when the skin changes from green to bright yellow or golden-orange. The skin is more delicate than that of a granadilla, so handle the fruit carefully. A ripe fruit should feel slightly soft and may show light wrinkling. Harvest on a dry day to reduce the risk of fungal infection.

Pests & Diseases

Susceptible to many pests and diseases. Watch out for aphids, mealybugs, brown spot, and woodiness virus. Best to keep a watch and preferably use preventative measures by spraying with agricultural Neem Oil or Effective Microorganisms (EM Control)