Does it need a trellis?

Yes, it uses tendrils to climb and performs best with sturdy support.

Will it survive winter?

The top growth dies back in winter, but the roots are hardy and will resprout in spring.

Plant guide

Maypop.

Passiflora incarnata

Pronounced pass-ih-FLOR-uh in-kar-NAY-tuh

Also known as Purple Passionflower, apricot-vine, maypop, maypop passionflower, passionflower

purple passionflower — Photo by Alex Abair (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The maypop is a beautiful, hardy vine known for its intricate, alien looking flowers. It is a native North American plant that produces edible fruit after flowering. You will love how quickly it climbs a trellis or fence.

Another photo of Maypop — Photo by Carrie Seltzer (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial vine
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 2 to 5 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Mid summer to early autumn

Care

Provide a sturdy support structure for the vines to climb as they grow. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate overwatering or poor drainage. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to ensure the best blooms.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Cut back dead or overgrown vines in late winter or early spring.
Repotting: Repot when the roots begin to circle the bottom of the container.
Soil: Well draining sandy or loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.1 to 7.5
Temperature: -15 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Noticeable decline in growth rate during the active season.

Safety

People: The foliage and roots contain compounds that may cause adverse reactions if ingested in large quantities.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The fruit is generally safe when fully ripe, but children should be supervised to avoid eating unripe fruit or other plant parts.
Contact allergens: Handling the stems may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not typically considered a significant airborne allergen.
Edibility: Only the ripe fruit is considered edible, as other parts of the plant contain cyanogenic glycosides.

How to identify it

Intricate purple and white fringed flowers
Three lobed palmately veined leaves
Small green to yellow egg shaped fruits
Strong tendrils for climbing support

Height: 2 to 5m
Spread: 1 to 3m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, purple, lavender, 5 to 9cm
Fruit: yellow, green, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
CaterpillarsCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: Cut back dead stems to the ground after the first hard frost. Apply a layer of mulch over the root zone to protect against extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: It grows well in large containers of at least 40 liters, provided it has a trellis for support.

Root Division

1. Carefully dig up a section of the root system in early spring.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the clump into smaller pieces.
3. Replant the divisions immediately in well draining soil.

Softwood Cuttings

1. Take a 10 cm cutting from healthy new growth in summer.
2. Remove the lower leaves and dip the end in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a moist potting mix and keep in a warm, bright location.

Plant near a sturdy fence or trellis to allow the vine to spread without overwhelming smaller perennials.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower · They share similar sun and moisture needs while providing contrasting textures.
Black Eyed Susan · This pairing creates a classic meadow aesthetic that attracts many pollinators.

Similar species

Blue Passionflower · A related species with similar climbing habits and striking flowers.

Science

Family: Passifloraceae
Genus: Passiflora
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southeastern United States
Conservation: This species is widespread and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in open fields and forest edges where it can climb toward sunlight.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: ornamental vine, edible fruit, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a trellis?: Yes, it uses tendrils to climb and performs best with sturdy support.
Will it survive winter?: The top growth dies back in winter, but the roots are hardy and will resprout in spring.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Passiflora comes from the Latin passio for passion and flos for flower. The specific epithet incarnata refers to the flesh colored appearance of the flower parts.

Good to know

It is also known as the maypop because the fruit makes a popping sound when stepped on.
The plant is the primary larval host for the Gulf Fritillary butterfly.
It is a vigorous grower that can spread rapidly through underground runners.

Keep your maypop growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.