Purple Passion

Quick Facts

• Type: Perennial asparagus
• Season: Spring harvest once plantings are established
• Flavor: Sweeter than green types (about 20% higher sugar), with mild, nutty flavor when cooked
• Spears: Attractive purple spears that are tender and often eaten raw; turn green when cooked
• Plant habit: Vigorous crowns well suited to home gardens and commercial plantings
• Best for: Fresh snacking, salads, grilling, and gourmet/restaurant use
• Hardiness & culture: Productive yields in Zones 3–8; performs best at 6–8 inch in-row spacing rather than the usual 12 inches

Purple Passion is a specialty asparagus variety prized for its unique purple spears, sweet flavor, and tender texture. With significantly higher sugar content than many green varieties, the spears are often eaten raw straight from the garden or sliced into salads, where they add a striking purple accent. When cooked, they turn green but retain a mild, nutty flavor that works beautifully on the grill, in sautés, or alongside spring dishes.

This variety has shown productive yields in trials and fits equally well in home gardens and commercial plantings targeting farmers markets and restaurant trade. For best performance, crowns should be spaced more closely than standard asparagus—about 6–8 inches apart in the row instead of the usual 12 inches—to maximize spear production. In Zones 3–8, Purple Passion makes an excellent addition to any asparagus patch, offering both visual appeal and distinctive eating quality.

For bed layout and plant counts per row and per bed, see our Asparagus Spacing & Planting Guide before planting.