Name: Passiflora Alata (Maroon Krishna Kamal Plant)
Brand: Happy Home Garden
Price: 499.00 INR
Availability: OutOfStock

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Passiflora Alata (Maroon Krishna Kamal Plant)

₹ 499.00

₹ 699.00 ₹ 499.00

Few flowers in the world carry as many stories as the Passiflora Alata — the Maroon Krishna Kamal. In India, the Krishna Kamal name connects the flower to the hundred petals of Lord Krishna's crown; the Western missionaries who encountered the passion flower in the Amazon named the genus Passiflora from flos passionis — Flower of the Passion — mapping its intricate anatomy to the Passion of Christ; and the Amazonian peoples who have known it longest call it ouvaca, meaning simply "red star." All three names are earned. The flower of Passiflora alata is 7–10 cm across, with deep crimson-maroon curved tepals that curve backward to expose a spectacular corona of concentric rings in banded purple and white — eight separate corona layers, a structural complexity shared with only one other species in the entire genus. The stems are distinctly four-winged — the meaning of alata, Latin for "winged" — a feature visible even on a young plant. It is fragrant, RHS Award of Garden Merit holder, a powerful pollinator attractor, and produces large, sweet, edible passion fruits. A vigorous, sun-loving climber for any Indian garden wall, pergola, or terrace trellis.

💡 Eight Concentric Coronas — Botanically Extraordinary The corona of a passion flower — the ring of coloured filaments at the flower's centre — is typically a single layer in most species. Passiflora alata produces eight concentric corona rings, divided into five distinct structural types, making it one of the most complex flower structures in the plant kingdom. This is shared with only one other species in the entire Passiflora genus of over 500 species. The banded purple and white filaments of these eight rings are what give the flower its unmistakable starburst appearance and its Amazonian name: red star.

🍊 Edible Fruit — Fragrant Granadilla Successfully pollinated flowers are followed by large, egg-shaped fruits 10–12 cm long that ripen from green to bright yellow-orange. The flesh is light orange, pleasantly acidic, and highly aromatic — known in Brazil as maracujá de refresco and valued both fresh and as a juice base. Hand pollination with a soft brush between flowers on the same vine improves fruit set significantly. The fragrance of both the flowers and the ripe fruit is noticeably sweet and heady, particularly in the evenings.

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Light

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Full sun to bright partial shade — at least 5–6 hours of direct sun daily for reliable flowering and fruiting. A south or west-facing wall, pergola, or trellis in an open outdoor position is ideal. In full sun, flowering is most prolific and fruits develop best. In semi-shade it will grow vigorously but flower less freely. This is an outdoor climber; it can be container-grown on a sunny terrace but needs a robust trellis or support structure to climb.

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Watering

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Regular and consistent — water deeply 2–3 times a week in summer, allowing the top 3–4 cm to dry slightly between waterings. Never allow to fully dry out; consistent moisture during the growing and flowering season supports heavier bloom production. Reduce to once or twice a week in cooler months. During India's monsoon, established in-ground plants need little supplement — ensure drainage is excellent to prevent waterlogging. Container plants need more frequent checking in peak summer heat.

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Humidity

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Naturally adapted to humid tropical conditions — India's climate is ideal with no supplemental humidity needed. Grows well from coastal humid regions to drier inland conditions. Good air circulation around the vine prevents fungal issues in very humid monsoon conditions. One of the most climatically versatile passion flowers for the subcontinent.

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Growing Media

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Well-draining, moderately fertile loamy soil. pH 6.0–7.5. Amend clay-heavy garden soil with compost and coarse sand. For containers, quality potting mix with 20–30% perlite in a large pot (minimum 40 cm diameter) — the vigorous root system needs room. The vine is a strong, fast grower; ensure the support structure — wall trellis, pergola, or wire framework — is robust enough to hold a mature, heavy vine. Mulch the base to retain moisture and keep roots cool.

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Feeding

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Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. For maximum flower and fruit production, use a phosphorus-rich formula (NPK 10-30-10 or similar) once in early spring and once after the first flowering flush. Avoid excessive nitrogen — it produces vigorous green growth at the expense of flowers. Apply to moist soil. Slow-release granules every 3 months are a good low-maintenance supplement between liquid feeds. No feeding in winter.

✂️ Pruning for Continuous Flowering Passiflora alata flowers on new growth — the more new shoots the vine produces, the more flowers it carries. After each flowering cycle, cut back flowered stems by one-third to encourage fresh branching. In late winter or early spring, perform a harder overall prune — cutting the vine back significantly — to renew the framework and stimulate the most vigorous flowering season. Without regular pruning, the vine becomes very dense, old wood dominates, and flowering concentrates only at the outer extremities.

⚠️ Common Issues & Quick Fixes

Not Flowering Despite Good Growth

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Too much nitrogen fertilizer or insufficient sun — both promote lush foliage at the expense of flowers. Switch to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer, ensure the plant gets at least 5–6 hours of direct sun, and prune back older wood to stimulate new flowering shoots. Avoid over-feeding with high-nitrogen products.

Flower Buds Dropping Before Opening

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Irregular watering, extreme heat stress, or sudden environmental change. Maintain consistent soil moisture during the flowering period — do not allow to dry out. Provide afternoon shade in peak summer (above 40°C). Avoid moving or repotting the plant while buds are forming.

Yellowing Leaves

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Overwatering or nutrient deficiency — the two most common causes. Check soil moisture first; if soggy, improve drainage and reduce watering. If soil moisture is fine, apply a balanced fertilizer — yellowing between green veins (interveinal chlorosis) indicates magnesium or iron deficiency, corrected with a chelated micronutrient feed.

Caterpillars Defoliating Stems

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Passion flower is a host plant for several butterfly species — larvae feed on the leaves, which is ecologically normal and the plant regrows rapidly. For heavy infestations, hand-remove caterpillars or use a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) biological spray — safe for pollinators and non-target insects. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides which will harm the butterflies you are also trying to attract.

Root Rot or Vine Wilting

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Waterlogged soil during monsoon season. Ensure the planting site or container drains freely. For in-ground plants in heavy soil, raise the planting position and amend with coarse sand. Container plants: move to shelter during sustained heavy rain or ensure unobstructed drainage holes.

📋 Quick Plant Profile

Botanical Name	Passiflora alata Curtis
Name Meaning	Passiflora = flos passionis, Flower of the Passion; alata = Latin for "winged" — the four-winged stems
Amazonian Name	Ouvaca — "red star"; also maracujá de refresco (fragrant passion fruit)
Common Names	Maroon Krishna Kamal, Winged-Stem Passion Flower, Fragrant Granadilla, Red Star
Family	Passifloraceae
Origin	Amazon; Peru to eastern Brazil; tropical rainforest margins
Flower	7–10 cm; deep crimson-maroon tepals; eight concentric corona rings in banded purple and white; highly fragrant
Corona Complexity	Eight concentric corona layers — shared with only one other species in the genus of 500+
Stem Feature	Four-winged quadrangular stems — visible even on young plants; primary ID feature
Fruit	10–12 cm egg-shaped; ripens yellow-orange; edible, sweet-acidic, highly aromatic
Award	RHS Award of Garden Merit
Light	Full sun to bright partial shade; 5–6 hours direct sun minimum for flowering
Watering	Consistent moisture; top 3–4 cm dry between waterings; excellent drainage essential
Temperature	Above 10°C year-round; thrives across India's tropical and subtropical zones
Growth Rate	Vigorous — to 6 m; requires robust support structure; tendril climber
Wildlife Value	Strong butterfly and bee attractor; host plant for several butterfly species
Display Uses	Garden wall, pergola, arbour, terrace trellis, large container with support
Ideal For	Gardens, Pergolas, Sunny Terraces, Butterfly Gardens, Edible Gardens, Gifting
Care Level	Easy — full sun, consistent watering, prune after each flush, and phosphorus-rich feed

1 Passiflora Alata (Maroon Krishna Kamal Plant)

Size: 10-20 Inches
(Plant sizes may vary slightly based on seasonal growth, individual plant characteristics, and current stock.)

Difficulty: Easy

Light:

This plant thrives in full sun, meaning it requires at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Ideal locations include south- or west-facing balconies, terraces, open gardens, or window sills that receive strong sunlight for most of the day.

Water:

Water deeply 2–3 times a week, depending on weather and soil type. Early morning or late evening is best. Increase frequency during peak summer or dry spells.

Growing Media:

30–40% Garden Soil/Loamy Soil: Provides structure, anchorage, and essential minerals.
20–30% Compost/FYM (well-rotted): Enriches the mix with organic matter and promotes healthy microbial activity.
20–30% Sand/Perlite: Improves drainage and aeration, especially important in pots.
10–20% Vermicompost: Supplies balanced, slow-release nutrients.

Optional: A handful of bone meal or neem cake for root development and pest resistance. This blend supports deep root growth, strong branching, and sustained health whether planted in pots or directly in the ground.

Feeding & Fertilization:

For these plants, use a phosphorus-rich liquid fertilizer (like 10-30-20 or similar) every 2–3 weeks during the blooming season to support healthy flowers. Dilute to half strength to avoid overfeeding.

Mix in a moderate amount of well-rotted compost or vermicompost every 4–6 weeks to improve soil fertility and encourage continuous blooming. Reduce or stop feeding during the off-season when flowering slows.