Purple Wreath or Sandpaper Vine
Petra volubilis (also known as Petrea kohautiana), commonly referred to as the Purple Passion Plant, Purple Wreath, or Sandpaper Vine, is a stunning tropical climbing plant that thrives in both subtropical and tropical climates.
With its striking indigo-blue flowers and ability to climb or trail gracefully, this plant makes an excellent addition to gardens, walls, and pergolas. Even in cooler climates, as long as there is no frost, it can flourish if planted in the right spot.
Here’s everything you need to know about growing and caring for Petra volubilis.
How To Grow Petra volubilis – Basic Care
Ideal growing conditions are a cool moist root run and a position where it can happily climb into full sun. Although Petrea species do require constant moisture they do not liked to be waterlogged, so allow soil to begin to dry out a little between watering.
In cooler areas it will drop foliage as the winter begins, however unless it it is just to cold, it will bounce back to life in spring.
Climate and Sun Requirements
Petra volubilis thrives in a warm, tropical or subtropical climate. It does best in areas with mild winters and plenty of sunlight. In regions with cooler winters, it can still grow successfully if positioned in a frost-free spot. It’s essential to choose a location that receives full sun for most of the day, as this encourages the vibrant flowering for which this plant is known. A sunny spot also helps the plant maintain its vigorous growth, which can reach up to 10 meters in ideal conditions.
Soil Preferences
This climbing vine prefers well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. A rich, loamy soil mix is perfect for promoting healthy growth, but the key is ensuring good drainage. Petra volubilis doesn’t like waterlogged soil, as this can cause root rot. However, the plant requires consistent moisture, so it’s important to keep the soil lightly moist without allowing it to become soggy. In drier climates, regular watering during the growing season is crucial to maintain the plant’s health and encourage abundant blooms.
Watering Needs
While Petra volubilis enjoys a moist root environment, it is important not to overwater it. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent waterlogging. During hot, dry periods, more frequent watering may be necessary, but always ensure the soil is well-drained. In areas where the winter months bring cooler temperatures, reduce watering as the plant enters a dormant phase, and avoid watering excessively during this time.
Pruning and Maintenance
To maintain the shape and health of your Petra volubilis, regular pruning is essential. Prune the plant in late autumn after it finishes flowering to remove any dead or damaged growth. This helps keep the vine neat and encourages strong, new growth in the spring. Pruning also prevents the plant from becoming too sprawling and unruly, especially if it’s climbing along a wall or trellis.
To enhance flowering and encourage healthy foliage, consider feeding the plant with liquid seaweed fertilizer in spring, and supplement it with a slow-release fertilizer for long-term nourishment. Regularly removing dead flowers and spent blooms can also encourage the plant to produce more flowers throughout the growing season.
In ideal conditions this wonderful colourful flowering plant will reach around 10m. In cooler areas in Australia try a North facing wall of a courtyard.
Remember that Petrea kohautiana syn. P. volubilis requires a cool root run.
You may also be interested in these climbing plants
- clematis
- mandevilla
- clematis
- climbing roses
- wisteria
- bouganvillia
- lapageria rosea
- hardenbergia (happy wanderer)
- pandorea (bower of beauty)
- lonicera (honeysuckle)
Petra volubilis are available for sale from the following nurseries
www.planterspatch.com.au
Whelan Road Imbil, Queensland Australia, 4570