Of the many types of passionflowers, some are shrubs, annuals, perennials, and even trees. Some also produce edible fruits if they are placed in a pollinator garden. But they all share unusual-looking flowers that remain open for only about a day. In addition to its intricate characteristics, a passionflower has a wide, flat petal base with five or 10 petals in a flat or reflex circle. Passionflowers are rapid growers and are best planted in spring or early fall while it's still warm. The toxicity of the plant varies by type, so check which one you are planting if you have small children or pets.
2:23
Click Play to Learn How to Grown Passion Flowers
Common Names | Passionflower, passion vine, maypop, granadilla |
Botanical Name | Passiflora spp. |
Family | Passifloraceae |
Plant Type | Perennial vine |
Mature Size | 6–30 ft. tall, 3–6 ft. wide |
Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
Soil Type | Moist but well-drained |
Soil pH | Neutral to acidic |
Bloom Time | Summer |
Flower Color | Purple, blue, pink, red, white |
Hardiness Zones | 5–9 (USDA) |
Native Area | North America, South America |
Toxicity | Varies by type |
Passionflower Care
Passionflowers may look like they are from the tropics, but they can actually be grown almost anywhere, including much colder areas. In fact, you may even find these seemingly delicate vines growing along the side of the road—some passionflower species can spread vigorously in warmer climates. The genus Passiflora is native to North America and South America and contains more than 500 species, so the common name passionflower can actually describe many different plants.
Where they are hardy, passionflowers are usually trained on a trellis, fence, or other vertical structures. In regions where they are not hardy, passionflower plants are often grown in pots and moved indoors for the winter.
Typically, they should be grown in full sun to partial shade, in average, but well-drained soil. A sheltered location, such as against a garden wall, is recommended for many species, which can be damaged by major winds or harsh weather.
In addition to being a beautiful flowering vine for your garden, passionflower also has celebrated medicinal uses. Native Americans have long used passionflower to treat a variety of ailments, such as wounds, earaches, and liver problems, and it's also thought to be beneficial in treating insomnia and reducing stress and anxiety.
Light
To keep your passionflower vines healthy and blooming, plant them in full sun to partial shade. Plants appreciate some afternoon shade in extremely hot climates. Passionflowers generally need at least four to six full hours of sunlight a day (or more in cooler climates). If you bring potted specimens indoors for the winter, give them bright, indirect light and keep them away from drafts.
Soil
The soil you plant your vines in should be well-draining, but rich and moist. Soil pH isn't terribly important and can be in the neutral to acidic range, anywhere from about 6.1 to 7.5. The addition of compost to the planting hole will help provide nutrients, and mulching around the plant's base will assist in retaining moisture without having the plant become waterlogged. Typically, some type of support is needed for the vines to grow on—a trellis, a structure, or even another plant.
Water
Passionflowers should be given a deep watering immediately after planting. Beyond that, they typically thrive with one or two waterings per week throughout their growing season. Make sure to provide about 1 inch to 1.5 inches of water every week if there is no rain because they do not handle drought well.
Temperature and Humidity
Passionflower plants love warm weather and may need winter protection in cooler regions. In zones cooler than zone 6, they often die in the winter unless you bring them indoors. Plant them in an area that's protected from wind, as a strong wind can damage stems and burn leaves. In addition, they do best in areas with moderate to high humidity.
Fertilizer
Passionflower vines are heavy feeders and will benefit from a regular light application of balanced, general-purpose fertilizer with equal proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilize the plant before new growth emerges in early spring, and then repeat every four to six weeks until early autumn.
Types of Passionflowers
There are hundreds of varieties of passionflower, though they mostly differ in color and appearance, not care. Some of the most popular cultivars for landscaping and gardening include:
- Passifloracaerulea: blue passionflower
- Passifloracoccinea: red passionflower
- Passifloraincarnata: purple passionflower
- Passiflora alata 'Ruby Glow': fragrant granadilla
Pruning Passionflower
Passionflowers are low maintenance during their growing season and do not need to be deadheaded. Pruning is done more to keep the size of the vine in check, remove deadwood, and encourage fuller growth.
Pruning can be done in late winter or early spring—in cooler climates, the vines may die back to the ground anyway. These plants flower on new growth, so make sure to prune them before growth begins each spring in order to preserve the season's blooms.
Propagating Passionflower
In addition to growing passionflower from seed, the plant can be propagated using methods such as taking softwood stem cuttings and tip layering (which works like air layering, but it's done in the ground).
Softwood cuttings are used to propagate when you want to start a new passionflower plant in another part of your yard or garden without having to wait for seeds. Layering is an ideal method to propagate passionflower right in the garden without having to do any vine cuttings from the mother plant, and it requires only a tiny bit of dirty work in the late summer or early fall. Here's how to propagate passionflower using these two methods.
To propagate with softwood cuttings:
- With a clean, sharp pair of pruners, cut a 4- to 6-inch stem below a node.
- Strip off the leaves at the bottom of the cutting.
- Dip about an inch of the bottom of the cutting in rooting hormone.
- Fill a small pot with well-draining potting mix and place the cutting 1/2 to 1 inch into the soil.
- Lightly water the soil and cover the pot with a plastic bag, closing it at the bottom, and making a couple of small slits at the top for the plant to breathe. Do not let the leaves touch the sides of the plastic bag.
- Place the pot in a shady spot and keep it warm and moist. Within a few weeks, gently tug on the cutting to see if it's rooted. When rooted, transplant the cutting into its permanent location.
To propagate by tip layering:
- Find the tip of a vine in the area where you'd like to grow and expand your passionflower plant.
- You can put the tip of the vine into the ground. Or, you can push a part of the vine into the ground to propagate. To do that, you will need to find a few inches of vine past the tip, where you can remove any leaves and bumps (leaves can cause bacterial problems if buried in the soil). This smooth portion will be pushed into the ground to propagate.
- Make a shallow dip in the soil where you want the vine to grow. Place the smooth part of the vine flat into the soil, then cover it back up with soil.
- If the vine keeps popping up, weigh it down with a light rock or secure it with a garden anchor pin to keep the vine in direct contact with the soil.
- In the spring, tug on the vine to see if it has rooted well. If you prefer, keep it in place or dig it up and transplant it to another area.
How to Grow Passionflower From Seed
Most varieties of passionflower can be purchased as seedling plants. They can also be propagated from seed. Follow these steps to grow passionflower from seed.
- To save seeds, allow the fruits to ripen completely. Open the pods and remove, clean, and dry the seeds before storing them. If you are saving seeds from a hybrid variety, remember that they will not grow true to seed, but will revert to the appearance of the parent species.
- Passionflowers seeds can be slow to germinate. Start your seed indoors by scarifying them and soaking them for one to two days in warm water. Discard any floating seeds, as these are not viable.
- Place the well-soaked seeds on the surface of damp potting mix, pat down, but do not cover since they need light to germinate. Place the pot into a plastic bag and seal to retain moisture. If you can provide bottom heat (via a heat mat) to the pot, you will speed up germination.
- It can take anywhere from 10 to 20 days for passionflower seeds to sprout. Keep the soil moist at all times. When sprouts do appear, keep them out of direct sunlight until there are true leaves. Grow lights are your best light source during this stage of the process.
- Harden off the plant for 10 days to two weeks by slowly introducing it to outdoor conditions, extending the amount of sunlight it receives each day.
- Transplant once the plant gets large enough and possesses several sets of leaves.
- If direct-sowing seeds outdoors, wait until the danger of frost has passed and temperatures reach at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Potting and Repotting Passionflower
Many gardeners prefer to grow their passionflowers in containers, where they will grow quite happily and offer you the convenience of being able to move them to a sunnier site or even bringing them indoors for the winter. Additionally, growing in pots prevents passionflowers from spreading uncontrollably.
To successfully pot your passionflower, use a potting soil rich in nutrients, and make sure the pot (of any material) has several large drainage holes at its base. Keep the soil moist, but don't allow the roots to sit in water. Plants grown in containers will need more regular feedings since they are watered more frequently and nutrients typically rinse out as the soil drains.
Overwintering
If you are bringing a container-bound passionflower plant indoors for winter, trim the stems down to 1 or 2 feet high before moving it. If you are bringing your passionflower indoors for the winter, it will probably go semi-dormant and look less than ideal, but it should perk up again in the spring.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
The warmer and more humid the climate, the more pests there may be to attack your passionflower plants, including scale, spider mites, and whiteflies. You can attempt to control any infestations with an insecticide.
Leaf spot is another potential issue and is generally caused by a fungal disease. To rid your plant of it, remove affected leaves to slow the spread and treat the plant with a fungicide if necessary. Root rot is also common in soils that do not drain well.
Common Problems With Passionflower
The passionflower is a relatively carefree plant to grow, but it may turn yellow for a variety of reasons. Potted passionflower plants may turn yellow or wilt if they are being underwatered or feel too cold.
Passionflower plants in the ground may have yellowing leaves because there's a problem with the soil's nutrients. You can have the soil tested so it can be properly amended. The soil may be too rich in boron, or the soil may lack the essential ones the plant needs to thrive. Some nutrients that may be lacking include:
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Nitrogen
- Potassium
- Sulfur
- Zinc
FAQ
Most species of passionflower are easy to grow—so easy, in fact, that they're sometimes considered aggressive growers if left to their own devices.
Passionflowers are vigorous growing vines, but the flowers stay open for only a day, so you will likely get only a handful of blooms at a time.
You can grow passionflower indoors as a houseplant, but don't expect fruiting. The plant prefers lots of light and indoor temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Your plant may need a small trellis for support.
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lee, Jewon, Jung, Han-Young, Lee, Soyoung I, Choi, Ji Ho, Kim, Shin-Gyeom. Effects of Passiflora Incarnata Linnaeus on Polysomnographic Sleep Parameters in Subjects With Insomnia Disorder: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 35, 1, 29-35, 2020, doi:10.1097/YIC.0000000000000291
Movafegh, Ali, Alizadeh, Reza, Hajimohamadi, Fatimah, Esfehani, Fatimah, Nejatfar, Mohmad. Preoperative Oral Passiflora Incarnata Reduces Anxiety in Ambulatory Surgery Patients: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Anesthesia Analgesia, 106, 6, 1728-32, 2008, doi:10.1213/ane.0b013e318172c3f9
See Also100 Japanese Girl Names (With Meanings) - Mom Loves BestNorthern Coast of Spain Travel Guide - Best Places to Visit & Things to DoTop 10 Places To See The Northern Lights In Washington | Van Life WandererHow to Charge an Electric Scooter (What the Manuals Don't Tell You + Step by Step Checklist)(Video) HOW TO GROW PASSION FLOWER VINEInsect Pests of Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis): Hosts, Damage, Natural Enemies and Control. Pineapple Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University
Diseases of Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis): Pathogen, Symptoms, Infection, Spread and Management. Pineapple Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University
FAQs
How quickly do passion flowers grow? ›
It can take anywhere from 10 to 20 days for passionflower seeds to sprout. Keep the soil moist at all times. When sprouts do appear, keep them out of direct sunlight until there are true leaves.
What's the best way to grow passion flower? ›Grow passion flowers in full sun to partial shade, in well-drained soil in a warm, sheltered spot. Cut back after flowering to keep plants neat, or cut away damaged growth in spring. Most varieties need winter protection.
Are passion flowers easy to grow? ›Passion flowers look exotic, but in fact they are easy to grow, and Passiflora caerulea, commonly known as the Blue Passion Flower, is hardy with an abundance of showy flowers in the summer. The Blue Passion flower requires only a little attention and is a green wheelbarrow plant.
What type of soil do passion flowers like? ›Depending on the variety, passion flower is generally a hardy plant, and will thrive in pretty much any soil type and pH. It does, however, prefer its soil to be fertile – when planting in a container, do so in a high-quality, peat-free compost. There is no need to add fertiliser, unless the plant is not growing.
How do I make my passion flower bushy? ›Prune your passion flower once a year in early spring if necessary. Flowers are produced on the new growth, so pruning entails removing the old flowered stems, while retaining a framework of strong, healthy stems. Pruning helps to keep the plant tidy and within bounds.
What is the best fertilizer for passion flowers? ›Granular Fertilizer
Those formulated for citrus are a good choice for passionflower. The rule of thumb for this plant is a 1:1 ratio of nitrogen and potassium, meaning that the percentage you choose should always have the same first and last number, such as 4-4-4, or 5-7-5.
The plants bloom from June to September. The pulpy fruit or “maypop” develops in two to three months after flowering and may be harvested from July to October.
Can you grow passion flower from cuttings? ›Passion flower (Passiflora spp.) is a striking tropical-like vine that is easy to grow. This popular houseplant or garden vine is also easy to propagate. Passion flower propagation can be achieved through seeds or stem cuttings in spring, or by layering in late summer.
Do passionfruit grow well in pots? ›Passionfruit can be grown in large pots as long as there is a strong support structure, such as a fence or trellis that they can grow over.
How long does a passion flower last? ›Nitrogen will promote vigorous green growth at the expense of flowers. A weekly watering with liquid seaweed in May, June and July should do the trick. Finally, remember that passion flowers only last one day.
How long does it take for passion flower to bloom? ›
Passionflower vines need about three or four years to mature and start blooming. Just give it time and enjoy the pretty foliage for a few years. However, if your plant is over four years old, it should be flowering.
Can you root passion vine in water? ›Some cuttings will even take just in water on a windowsill. Change the water regularly if you try this technique. Note that the roots will be more fragile and need to be transferred to soil gently or they will snap off.
How deep do passion flower roots go? ›Passion Flower vines reproduce in the wild by roots growing away from the parent plant and then producing new vines along the root. These roots vary between 1-3 inches deep below the ground depending on soil condition.
How do I get my passion flower to bloom? ›Grow passion flowers in full sun, on well-drained soil and fertilize in spring and mid-summer to get the best growth and blooms. Keep the soil moist with mulch. The mulch also can protect the roots in winter in cold areas. Passion flowers usually don't need much attention to deadheading and pruning.
Why do passionfruit flowers fall off? ›Rain, overcast conditions, cold and wind can all delay fruit formation. Over fertilising with a high nitrogen fertiliser can cause flowers to drop and prevent fruit from forming.
What kills passionfruit vines? ›Passionfruit vines are sensitive to inundation and if flooded for more than a few days their roots may die from lack of oxygen.
How long do passionfruit vines last? ›Passionfruit are one of the most popular garden plants. They can also be one of the trickiest to grow because they have a short lifespan - usually about six to seven years. For this reason, it's a good idea to plant a succession of passionfruit.
Is tomato feed good for passion flowers? ›Passifloras require only a minimal amount of care and will happily seek out nutrients by themselves. However, your plants will do well with the occasional high-potassium feed. They especially like tomato feed.
Is Epsom salts good for passionfruit? ›Stop leaves from yellowing by feeding with a citrus food around the root zone two or three times between spring and late summer. Adding a sprinkle of Epsom salts to the watering can will also help.
Is Miracle Grow good for passion flower? ›When to Plant Passionflowers. Passionflower is also known as Maypop, because it pops up in May. Plant them in spring in rich soil. Fortify your soil with organic material like compost or Miracle-Gro® Organic Choice® Garden Soil.
How often do you water passionfruit? ›
Water deeply once a week in the spring and summer and spread the fertilizer and mulch over the entire root system, not just around the base of the stem. Passion fruit thrive on any fertilizer designed to encourage flowering and fruiting. Apply fertilizer in spring and then every four weeks during the summer months.
What does passion flower symbolize? ›The passion flower blossom, especially the flower of the purple passion fruit (P. edulis), is often used to symbolize events in the last hours of the life of Jesus Christ, the Passion of Christ, which accounts for the name of the group.
Is passion flower poisonous to dogs? ›Passionflower is a perennial vine with vibrant purple flowers. It is best known for its natural calming properties. This purple flower has been used for medicinal purposes for many years and is completely safe for dogs.
Can you grow passion flower indoors? ›Both exotic looking and easy to care for, the passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) is one of the most interesting flowering vines around. This tropical vine can be easily grown indoors to create a beautiful tropical setting.
How do you take cuttings? ›Take cuttings early in the day when the plants' stems are full of water. Place cuttings in a plastic bag to stop them drying out and use them as soon as possible. When taking a cutting, choose a strong side shoot with no flowers and cut a piece between 5-10cm (2-4in) long, cutting just below a leaf joint.
Does a passion flower produce fruit? ›Passion flower species
Particularly well known among the passion flowers is the edible and sweet-tasting passion fruit (Passiflora edulis forma flavicarpa). Their fruits are offered in many supermarkets and you can also discover them in some gardens.
The passionfruit vine is a strong, vigorous, evergreen climber, and it originated in South America. A great spot for a passionfruit vine is one that's out in the open, has full sun and no trees or competitive roots.
What can I feed my passionfruit plant? ›Feed your passionfruit vine with well-watered-in citrus food or a chicken manure twice a year, in spring and autumn. Ensure you spread the fertiliser over the entire root system. Avoid over-feeding or using fertilisers that are high in nitrogen, this will encourage leaf growth at the expense of flowers and fruits.
Do you need two passionfruit plants to get fruit? ›Passionfruit are self-fertile, so there is no need to have two vines. We recommend you look at planting grafted varieties, as they're hardier and can be more productive. Ensure you feed with a fertiliser high in potassium in mid-spring to encourage flower and fruit set.
Do passion flowers smell? ›It certainly has a sensual smell, combining milky, coconut-y, salty softness with spices and animal notes—the latter of which are responsible for the scent's almost raw aspect. But with all the intensity, the scent has a fresh top aroma.
How do you take care of a passion flower? ›
Caring for your plant
Your passion flower plant should be watered right after potting, and then depending on the conditions, it will only need watering once or twice a week during its growing season. Keep in mind this can vary depending on things like the amount of light in your home and the level of humidity.
gracilis, the Annual Passion Flower. It will grow, flower, set fruit containing seed, and die within the year. A plant that needs two growing seasons to complete its life cycle. It grows foliage in the first year, rests over winter & flowers, sets fruit, and then dies at the end of the second year.
Do passion flowers open at night? ›Timing. Purple and yellow passion flower blooms open and close at different times. Both the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service and Purdue University say the purple passion flower is open between dawn and noon, and the yellow between noon and as late as 10 p.m.
Can I grow passionfruit from a cutting? ›7. Propagate your plant with cuttings. You can use a cutting of new growth from your passion fruit plant or fresh seeds from one of your passion fruits to propagate a new plant. If using a cutting, trim the lower leaves, plant in a small pot, and place in a warm place for up to 90 days, keeping the soil moist.
Do you cut back passion flower in winter? ›Late winter is the optimum time for pruning Passiflora. This is because the plant is not yet actively growing, so cuts will not remove the season's flower buds, nor will removing plant material shock the vine into decline. Take out any broken, diseased or dead wood initially.
How do you winter a passion flower? ›Passion flower winter care can include regular watering and keeping them active throughout the season, or passion flower vine wintering can include a period of dormancy. If you allow the plant to go dormant, you will want to keep it in a dark, dry, cool place. It will lose its leaves over the winter months this way.
When should I repot my passion flower? ›Potting and Repotting Passionflower
Repot young plants every spring into a larger pot. Older plants can be stretched out every few years between repotting. To control their size, it's best to cut your passionflower down in the fall, leaving only a few vines 15 to 20 inches long in the pot.
Many people plant passion flower intentionally, but it can also be an invasive plant, especially wild varieties. If you need to eliminate or control vines, first try pulling out new growth. If you want to get rid of all of the vines, you'll need to dig out the roots using a shovel.
Are passion flowers poisonous? ›The passion flower is a show-stopper for more than one reason. Yes, it immediately catches the eye and I couldn't just walk past it when I spotted it growing wild in Pembroke. But, hiding within its leaves is a rather deadly secret – they contain cyanide, a chemical that's poisonous to much of the animal world.
Why is my passion flower leaves turning yellow? ›Yellowing Passion Vines
Too much or too little of particular nutrients can cause yellow passion vine leaves. For example, if your soil contains too much boron, the leaf tips might yellow. Too little iron, magnesium, molybdenum, zinc, or manganese can also cause yellowing passion vines.
How do you train a passionfruit vine? ›
What you should do is let one main stem become a really thick branch, like this one and let it grow right to the top and cut off any of the side shoots that go out until it reaches that top and then you can let the side shoots go and attach them to the trellis or the fence or the wire and you'll have a really good ...
Why are my passionfruit not turning purple? ›If the vine is under-watered, the fruit will be dry and may not develop any pulp inside it, so the fruit will never ripen as there is no real fruit developing. If the Passion fruit vine is overwatered, this can cause the nutrients the plant needs to wash away and out of the soil, and the fruit will not ripen.
How do you take care of a passion fruit plant? ›- Full sun, especially in cooler climates. ...
- Warm and sheltered position. ...
- Protection from strong and cold winds.
- Must have adequate room and support.
- Soil should be rich and very free-draining. ...
- Mulch well and avoid any root disturbance.
Passionflower vines need about three or four years to mature and start blooming. Just give it time and enjoy the pretty foliage for a few years. However, if your plant is over four years old, it should be flowering.
Are passion flowers invasive? ›Purple passionflowers may become invasive in some regions or habitats. To control the spread of purple passionflower, remove the suckers regularly. Prepared By: USDA NRCS Booneville Plant Materials Center.
How long does a passion flower last? ›Nitrogen will promote vigorous green growth at the expense of flowers. A weekly watering with liquid seaweed in May, June and July should do the trick. Finally, remember that passion flowers only last one day.
How deep do passion flower roots go? ›Passion Flower vines reproduce in the wild by roots growing away from the parent plant and then producing new vines along the root. These roots vary between 1-3 inches deep below the ground depending on soil condition.
Can passionfruit grow in pots? ›Passionfruit can be grown in large pots as long as there is a strong support structure, such as a fence or trellis that they can grow over.
Why do passionfruit flowers fall off? ›Rain, overcast conditions, cold and wind can all delay fruit formation. Over fertilising with a high nitrogen fertiliser can cause flowers to drop and prevent fruit from forming.
Why is my passion flower plant not blooming? ›If you notice that your passion flower is growing but not blooming, it may be due to the plant not getting everything it needs. This could be anywhere from under- or over-watering to improper light to not enough fertilization and nutrients.
What kills passionfruit vines? ›
Passionfruit vines are sensitive to inundation and if flooded for more than a few days their roots may die from lack of oxygen.
How often do passion flowers bloom? ›Plant Type: | Perennial semi-herbaceous vine | Flower / Foliage Color: |
---|---|---|
Bloom Time / Season: | Blooms spring through fall; fruit summer/fall | Soil Type: |
Exposure: | Full sun | Soil pH: |
Spacing: | 8-12 feet | Soil Drainage: |
Planting Depth: | 1 inch (seeds) | Companion Planting: |
How to Propagate a Passion Flower Vine through Tip Layering - YouTube
Can you grow passion flower from cuttings? ›Passion flower (Passiflora spp.) is a striking tropical-like vine that is easy to grow. This popular houseplant or garden vine is also easy to propagate. Passion flower propagation can be achieved through seeds or stem cuttings in spring, or by layering in late summer.
Is passion flower poisonous to dogs? ›Passionflower is a perennial vine with vibrant purple flowers. It is best known for its natural calming properties. This purple flower has been used for medicinal purposes for many years and is completely safe for dogs.
Do passion flowers smell? ›It certainly has a sensual smell, combining milky, coconut-y, salty softness with spices and animal notes—the latter of which are responsible for the scent's almost raw aspect. But with all the intensity, the scent has a fresh top aroma.
What month does passion fruit flower? ›The yellow fruiting vine blooms April to November while the purple flowers in March through April. Fruits can be expected to ripen 70 to 80 days after pollination. This means passion fruit harvest time is around the end of summer into fall for purple vines and may be through winter for the yellow form.
What does passion flower symbolize? ›The passion flower blossom, especially the flower of the purple passion fruit (P. edulis), is often used to symbolize events in the last hours of the life of Jesus Christ, the Passion of Christ, which accounts for the name of the group.
Can you propagate passion flower in water? ›Some cuttings will even take just in water on a windowsill. Change the water regularly if you try this technique. Note that the roots will be more fragile and need to be transferred to soil gently or they will snap off.