Passiflora incarnata - Native Passionflower

RARE. Stunning WNC Native edible perennial vines feature abundant, psychedelic looking flowers in summer. Green fruits contain seeds covered in a sweet sac; leaves can be used to create a wonderful calming herbal tea. 

Passiflora incarnata attract butterflies and bees, they are the exclusive host plants for the gorgeous Gulf Fritillary Butterfly* and non-exclusive host plants for other Fritillary Butterflies. Ever since we planted some in our Pollinator Garden we now see funky orange spiky caterpillars transforming into beautiful butterflies!

Low maintenance. Best flowering in full sun, but can also be grown in partial sun. They prefer moist, well-draining soil.

Plant them next to an arbor, pergola, trellis, fence or wall near a patio where the showy flowers can be enjoyed. They can also be planted at the sunny edge of woodland gardens. where they can freely spread and climb.

These plants are very difficult to find in the horticultural trade, but they are wonderful additions to any garden.

❤️RCN Staff Favorite 

Zones 5-9. 8-15’ T. 

Plant Nerd: Also known as Maypop, Purple passionflower, True passionflower, Wild passion vine, and more, these plants have been a staple food and medicine for the Cherokee for thousands of years. The Cherokee call them Ocoee; the Ocoee River and Valley were named after these amazing plants.

🌟Passiflora incarnata is the state wildflower of Tennessee.

🐦Fruits are mature when they turn yellow. Birds and small mammals may enjoy eating them. The fall foliage color is yellow.

🐜These plants have a beneficial relationship with ants! They ooze special sugars for the ants, in return the ants help protect the plants from predators and help them deal with nearby plants competing for light and space. If you see ants on your plants, this is a good thing - nature working as intended.

🦋*This is the giant butterfly sculpture in our Pollinator Garden as part of the Asheville Butterfly Trail!

🐛Host plants are plants that insects MUST have in order to complete their lifecycle. While many plants provide nectar, host plants have very specific relationships with specific butterflies. If you want more beautiful butterflies in your garden, and more kinds of butterflies, look for host plants. Caterpillars are also THE critical food for baby birds, so if you would like to help and attract birds to your garden, planting Maypops and other incredible WNC native plants is a wonderful ecological approach to gardening.💚